
Qass. 
Book 



H I s T O i' \ 



OF 



FA R M I N G T N, M? 



FROM ITS SETTLEMENT TO 184G. 



BY THOMAS PARKILR. 



iT a V m f n g t on, ifHc. 

J. L, SWltr, PRIMER A-VD PUBLI&Hi^ 

lb46. 



HISTORY OF FARMINGTON. 



CHAPTER t 

Situation — Sandy-River Wilson' s-Stream D avis' -Mill-Str cam — 

Fairbanks' -MillStr cam Ponds — Blunts' -Brook — Bcavcr-Dam- 

Brook — jFish — Game — Hunters — Meadows — Soil — Timber — Pro- 
ductions — Lime — Scenery — Roads — Public Buildings — Bridges — 
Common. 

Farmington, the shire town of the County of Frank- 
lin, is situated in that section of the State of Maine, 
commonly called the Sandy-River, situated thirty miles 
from Augusta, the capital of the state, and about sev- 
enty miles from the city of Portland something east of 
north; being bounded west by the towns of Wilton and 
Temple, and north by the towns of Strong and Indus- 
try, east by the towns of Industry and New-Sharon and 
south by the tow n of Chesterville ; It is watered by the 
Sandy-River which takes its rise in the highlands which 
divide the waters of the Kennebec from those of the 
Androscoggin being known as Mt. Abraham, Saddle-Back 
and Mt. Blue, being some of the highest elevations in 
the state. The westerly or principal branch takes its 
rise from a small pond south of Saddle-Back-Moun- 
tain, of the same name, passing from thence in a south- 
easterly direction through the easterly part of Letter E, 
and Madrid to Phillips, where it unites with the east- 



6 Fish — Game — Hunters — Meadows. 

tioii of mills. Few if any now get above the falls at 
the lower extremity of the town. Alew^ives were for- 
merly taken as high up as Titcomb's-Mills on the Da- 
vis'-Mill-Stream, but have now become extinct in this 
region. The salmon-trout and pickerel are the princi- 
pal fish now taken from the Sandy-River or its tribu- 
tary waters, and with which many of the ponds and 
streams abound. 

-The streams and forests originally abounded with bea- 
ver, otter, sable, and various kinds of fur which afford- 
ed liberal encouragement to hunters. Moose were tak- 
en in great abundance in the \a inter season. Prior to 
the examination of the Sandy- River valley in 1776, for 
the purpose of making a settlement, it was unknown 
to any civilized people excepting those who explored it 
for the purpose of hunting, for which purpose a Mr. 
Ste\^ art Foster and a Mr. Ephraim Allen of Winthrop 
made a stand on the Sandy-River through the wintei' 
of 1780. They encamped near where the Fairbanks'- 
Bridge now stands in a camp belonging to Pierpole, 
(he being absent.) They killed a large quantity of 
moose and at the opening of the spring constructed a 
canoe of their skins, in which they went down the ri- 
ver, with their effects, to HallowelL* 

There are but few natural meadows in Farmington, 
and these are small, but such as they were they afford- 
ed great assistance to the early settlers in wintering 
their stock. The intervales and forests served them for 
pasture in the sunmier season. 



* The game in the Sandy-River valley attracted the attention of the In- 
dians, and hence thoy gave the river the name Mus-sa-lun-squit, which 
they subsequently, in their quaint Englisli, translated to the whites, as mean- 
ing — "A place where you can go and get plenty of moose, deer, fur «tc. — 
wjiole canoe full;" — literally '^Good Ifuniing Ground^ 

Farmington Chromclc — .Vo. (55. 



Soil — Timber — Productions — Lime — Scenery. 7 

The soil is generally good and fertile and more ea- 
sily cultivated than that of the state generally, espe- 
cially the intervales and the uplands adjacent to them, 
though some of the highlands, particularly in the north- 
west section of the town, are somewhat rocky and hard 
to cultivate, but their superior quality for grazing and 
the raising of stock well recompenses the labor of the 
husbandman. 

The natural growth is that of the several kinds of 
maple, birch, beach, ash, elm, bass, pine, hemlock, 
spruce, fir, cedar, with some oak on the highlands, and 
hackmetack in the low lands. The apple-tree and ma- 
ny kinds of fruit are cultivated with success. 

The soil is productive of most kinds of grain and ve- 
getables, the lowlands being best adapted to the growth 
of corn and the highlands to that of wheat. 

Lime-rock has been discovered in many places in this 
and the adjacent towns, but those who have attempted 
to manufacture it into lime have had but little success, 
and owing to its inferior quality perhaps it may never 
be profitable for mechanical purposes. 

The extent of the intervales, the gentle rise of the 
uplands, the convenient ridges into which it is thrown, 
the superior quality of the soil, and the varied natural 
forests with which the town abounds, present one of 
the most pleasing prospects in the state, and one which 
perhaps is not surpassed by any.* 

There are two leading county -roads through the town, 
passing longitudinally north and south — one on each 

* The editor of the Gospel Banner, who heis been somewhat of a travel- 
er, refers to a spot a little above Farmington-Falls, as affording one of the 
two most magnificent landscape views he has ever beheld. It is something 
of a compliment to the taste of the now venerable Stephen Titcomb Esq. 
that the spot in which his axe first disturbed the slumbers of the primeval 
forest is embraced in the foreground of this view. 



8 Roads — Public Buildings — Bridges — Common, 

side of the river, which with various others, leading in 
various directions, all centering in, and passing the cen- 
ter of the town, take a large amount of travel. The 
great roads that pass north and south accommodate 
most of the travel from the interior towns to Hallowell 
and Augusta the principal market for this part of the 
state. Much of the business, however, which was for- 
merly done in these towns is now done in Farmington. 
There are two bridges across the Sandy-River sup- 
ported by the town of Farmington and the most of an- 
other supported in connection with Chesterville. The 
public buildings consist of an academy, a court-house, 
jail and county building for the several offices, five 
meeting-houses and twenty-two school-houses. The 
common, a public square in the center of the village, 
encircled by rows of the rock or sugar-maple, forms a 
pleasant and agreeable prospect, and adds much to the 
beauty and convenience of the village. 



History of Farmiiigton. 



CHAPTER II. 

First Exploration — The Exploring Party — Their Route — Indians — 
The party return and resolve to settle — Again repair to the ^' Great 
Intervale'^ in bateaux — Route — Commence Clearing — Reuben Col- 
burn and his Associates — Electing of the Company — Kennebec Pur- 
chase — Survey — Conditions of Settlement — Mills. 

The tract of land now comprised within tlie territo- 
rial limits of the town of Farmington was first explor- 
ed, with a view of settlement, by Stephen Titcomb, 
Robert Gower, James Henry, Robert Alexander, and 
James Maodonnell, in the summer of 1776. They were 
piloted by Thomas Wilson who had previously explor- 
ed the region as a hunter. The whole party were from 
Topsham in the county of Lincoln, and they came in 
canoes up the Kennebec, as far as Hallowell, which 
then contained but three or four houses and some fish- 
stores. From Hallowell they proceeded by land over a 
bad road, through a very sparcely settled tract, to a 
Rumford Smith's, just above the present site of Lane's 
oil-mill, his being the last house. From this place they 
proceeded by a compass, a west-north-west course, sup- 
posing this would enable them to strike at or near the 
"Great-Intervale." They struck the Sandy-River at 
New-Sharon-Falls, near where the mills now stand — 
crossed the river, and traveled along its northern bank 
to Farmington-Falls, where they found two Indian 
camps, (Pierpole's and Phillips',) and some Indian-corn 
and potatoes growing.* 

* They found a considerable tract of land cleared at the Falls, extending 
from the upper part of the present site of the village, down tlie river to the 

B 



10 Indians — Adventures of the First Party. 

From the Falls they proceeded up by the side of the 
river about one mile, to the south-east line of the farm 
known by the name of the Tufts-Farm, now owned by 
Samuel Daggett. Here they stripped some bass-wood 
bark, for a substitute for a chain, and commenced mea- 
suring off lots for farms, which they made one hundred 
rods in width. They measured off six lots, which they 
divided by lot among them. After prossecuting their 
discoveries up the river they concluded to return to 
Topsham, procure tools and return to commence clear- 
ing in two weeks from the time of concluding this a- 
greement. 

At the time appointed they prepared themselves with 
bateaux and came up the Kennebec to the Cobosse- 
conte stream, (Now Gardiner,) — carried their bateaux 
round the falls, and followed the stream till they came 
to the Indian Great-Carrying-Place, which leads to Win- 
throp Great-Pond, passed up this pond to South-Pond, 
near Winthrop-Factory, carried to the pond near Read- 
field-Corner, proceeded up Bog-Stream to Greely's-Pond, 
and carried one mile to Crotchet-Pond. From Crotch- 
et-Pond they carried two miles to a pond west of the 



edge of New-Sharon. The remains of a considerable Indian village and of 
a fort enclosing about an acre of land, were to be seen. The fort was si- 
tuated near the center of the tract now covered by the Falls-Village. The 
Indian buryinif ground has since been discovered in digging the cellar to 
Thomas CroswcU's dwelling-house. A number of skeletons were found in an 
upright position. Tradition states that many years before, a boy by the 
name of Knights was taken in the town of Gorham, and carried to the 
Sandy-River, where he was kept through the winter. The camp of the In- 
dians was on the "Great-Intervale." near the spot first improved by Mr. 
Titcomb. In the spring the boy was left with the squaws while the Indians 
again repaired to Gorham to obtain scalps and more prisoners. Young 
Knights found a M'ay of escape, and, passing within sight of the Indians, 
arrived in Gorham in season to give notice of their approach, which warn- 
ing probably prevented an inhuman massacre. Tomahawks, arrow-heads 
and other Indian relics have been discovered in difierent parts of the toAvn. 



Clearings Commenced — Company Formed. 1 1 

Ridge in Chesterville and followed its waters down the 
Little-Norridgewock to Sandy-River. 

They felled some trees on the lots they had before 
selected, and, after exploring the country to a greater 
extent than they had done in their previous tour, de- 
scended the Sandy-River to the Kennebec, and sailed 
down the Kennebec to their homes in Topsham. 

From this time this company, with others, continued 
to make improvements in different parts of the town, 
till 1781, when the first families moved into it. 

About this time another company came from the vi- 
cinity of Hallowell, to explore with a view of making 
a settlement on the Sandy-River, who, with the former 
company, formed an association in Hallowell, Dec. 17, 
1777, known by the name of "The Proprietors of a 
Township on Sandy-River," now commonly known as 
the firm of ^'-Reuhcn Colhurn and his Associates.''^ 

At their meeting Ephraim Cowan was chosen clerk 
and arrangements were made for laying out a road to 
the township. James Cowan and Moses Aires were 
chosen a committee to petition to the General-Court for 
the road. The petitioners, however, failed at this time 
to procure a grant, in consequence of its having been 
supposed that the township would fall within the limits 
of the Plymouth-Claim. 

In the following season, July 28, 1778, they had a 
meeting to "petition to the Plymouth-Company, but as 
doubts respecting the title were entertained, they con- 
cluded not to petition, but made arrangements to open 
the road laid out the previous winter, from John Stearns' 
land to the mill-stream on which Titcomb's-Mills now 
stand. 

The meetings of the associates were generally hol- 
den at Amos Pollard's, in that part of Hallowell now 



12 Kennehec-Purchase — Boundaries, ^-c. 

Augusta, and their business was conducted by a clerk, 
treasurer and a committee of three, who were chosen 
annually, and their expenses were paid by assessments 
on the rights in the township. 

After some verbal communications from Mr. Bowdoin, 
chairman of the committee of the proprietors of the 
Kennebec-Purchase from the colony of New-Plymouth, 
it was voted, at a meeting held on the 24th of May, 
1779, to make some proposals to Mr. Bowdoin on con- 
dition that he would give warrantee deeds, and Mr. 
Weston was chosen to make the propositions. 

It appears by a memorandum signed in Boston, Oct. 
4, 1779, by James Bowdoin, Daniel Jeffries, James 
Hewing and John Hancock, and from an alteration an- 
nexed, dated at Boston, March 3, 1780, signed by Hen- 
ry Allen, proprietor's-clerk, that the following arrange- 
ment was made with the committee of the proprietors 
of the Kennebec-Purchase, by Reuben Colburn and his 
Associates, viz: — 

That the associates should cause a survey to be tak- 
en of all that tract of land west of Kennebec-River 
and north of the southerly line of Settler's-Lot No. 70, 
in the town of Vassalborough, now Sidney, and south 
of the mouth of Sandy-River, and extending westerly 
fifteen miles; viz: — The course of Kennebec-River to be 
taken, then, commencing at the mouth of Sandy-River, 
to run a due west course fifteen miles, there to make 
a corner marked K. 15 M.; thence southerly two miles; 
thence, varying the courses so as to conform to the 
courses taken on the Kennebec-River, until it strikes 
the Little-Norridgewock stream, there to be marked K. 
15 M. to show that it is 15 miles from Kennebec-Ri- 
ver, on a west-north-west course; and from thence to the 
first mentioned bound. The ponds and rivers to be 



Lots — Conditions of Settlement. 13. 

laid down on the field-book, together with the growth 
of timber on the land and the quality of the soil, and 
every thing of a remarkable nature, including the road 
laid out to the township which was to be surveyed 
from the rear of this tract of land, and the line of 
which was to commence at the junction of the Little- 
Norridgewock with the Wilson-Stream — from thence to 
follow down the Wilson-Stream to Sandy-River, thence 
down the river about half-a-mile, from thence a due 
north course until it should intersect the fifteen-mile-line 
running west from Kennebec-River, making the town 
about ten miles in its longest extent. 

The township Avas to be laid out in lots of two hun- 
dred acres and two hundred and fifty acres, alternate- 
ly, that is, first a lot of two hudred acres, then a lot of 
two hundred and fifty acres, next another lot of two 
hundred acres, and so on, through the whole town, 
except on Sandy-River, where all the lots were to be 
of equal extent — sixty rods on the river — and not to 
exceed one hundred and fifty acres; the whole to be 
laid out with as much equality as possible. 

One of the one hundred and fifty acre lots was to b^; 
for the first settled minister, and one of the two hun- 
dred acre lots to be for the use of the ministry, both to 
be marked M. The one hundred and fifty acre lots on 
the river were to be marked, first, P. for proprietors, 
next S. for settlers, and so on, alternately, and the two 
hundred and fifty acre lots were to be marked P. for 
proprietors, and the two hundred acre lots, S. for settlers; 
fii'st laying out a lot on the mill-stream for encouraging 
the building of a grist-mill and a saw-mill for the accom- 
modation of the inhabitants, not to exceed one hundred 
and fifty rods in width and to run three hundred rods 
back from the river, if there should be room. 



14 Conditions of ^Settlement. 

An exact plan of the town was to be made out, and 
the })lan, with the field-})ook to be returned to the clerk 
of the proprietors of the Kennebec-Purchase, by the tenth 
of the following May. The survey was to be at the 
expense of the associates, if they were admitted as set- 
tlers on certain conditions. 

When the survey was completed, and the return made 
according to directions, the committee concluded to re- 
commend to the owners to admit the applicants as set- 
tlers in the township. They were to obtain a written 
license from the owners, and, with such as might asso- 
ciate with them, each select a settler's lot, to which he 
was to be entitled after a residence of two years, with 
the condition that he should build a house not less than 
twenty feet square, and seven feet in the stud, clear 
five acres of land within three years, and actually 
live on the premises himself during three years, or in 
case of his death, his heirs or some one under them to 
complete the term of residence, — he or some one under 
him likewise to reside on the premises seven years long- 
er, and work upon the ministerial lot, or on a house for 
the public worship of God, two days in a year for ten 
years, when required by the committee of the proprie- 
tors or their agent — and also two days each year on the 
public roads till the lands should be incorporated into a 
town; each one likewise agreeing to submit in public 
affairs to the decision of the majority of the settlers at 
any public meeting regularly called. 

The settlers were to petition the owners, and the plan 
was to be made and returned by the 10th of May, 1780. 
It appears that the survey was completed and that re- 
turns were made, agreeably to directions, in June, 1780, 
by Joseph North, Esq. 

But as it was considered somewhat doubtful whether 



Division of Lots — Road and Bridge. 15 

the town would fall within the limits of the Plymouth- 
Claim, no further measures were taken to obtain a title 
to the lands till after the Revolutionary- War, when the 
boundaries were settled between the State and the Ply- 
mouth-Company. 

A front-lot and a back-lot making a right in the town, 
the settlers chose a committee to couple them according 
to quality, and draw them by lot, on the 17th of May, 
1780. Some, however, who had commenced improve- 
ments on particular lots were excepted from this mode of 
division, and permitted to retain the lots they had before 
selected. The result of drawing the lots was recorded in 
the book kept by the clerk of the associates, and agreea- 
bly to a vote of the associates, all conveyances of lots 
were to be recorded by their clerk in his book, which was 
admitted as evidence in the trial of the action, "Simeon 
Pane vs. Thomas and Timothy Johnson," in the Su- 
preme-Judicial-Court, at the October term 1816, by the 
court directing depositions to be taken of some persons 
who were present when the lands were divided and the 
lots drawn, and also that the deposition of Solomon Ad- 
ams Esq. should be taken in jierpetuam identifying said 
book, and confirming the records of said book — he being 
the last clerk of the associates. This being done agreea- 
bly to the direction of the court, and the deposition re- 
corded in the Registry-of-Deeds for Kennebec-County, 
and annexed to the book, it was directed that it should be 
lodged in the town-clerk's office for the use of the town, 
or any person who may have occasion to use it in defence 
of his title. 

In July, 1780, measures were taken to lay out and 
open a road from the head of Chandler's-Pond to this 
town, and to build a bridge over the Little-Norridgewock 
stream, and in the year following a contract was made to 



16 3IiUs — Proceedings of the Associates. 

have one built over Wilson's-Stream. In 1782 a vote 
was passed to have the survey completed, as soon as 
might be, the side lines of the lots not having been run 
when the plan of the town was made, the lots only having 
been fronted on the river, with the corners of the back 
lots marked on the range lines of the first survey. 

It was agreed by the associates, July 4, 1780, that 
Reuben Colburn and Stephen Pullen should build the 
mills at Sandy-River, upon their giving bonds that it 
should be done by the 1st of August, 1781, and that they 
should be kept in repair seven years. 

The saw-mill was put in operation in November 1781, 
and the grist-mill in the following August. The first 
meetjng.of "Colburn and his Associates," held at Sandy- 
River, was on the 15th of October, 1783, <it the dwelling- 
house of Samuel Butterfield, where their meetings were 
afterwards held as long as they continued to transact bu- 
siness in that capacity. 

At this meeting they chose Samuel Bullen, moderator, 
— Nehemiah Blodget, clerk, — Peter Corbett, treasurer, — 
Reuben Colburn, Samuel Butterfield and Nathaniel Da- 
vis committee — who were empowered to finish the survey 
in the most convenient possible manner for the associates. 

The next meeting was held on the 12th of May, 1785, 
which was organized by choosing Mr. Samuel Butterfield, 
moderator; — Solomon Adams was chosen clerk, Peter 
Corbett, treasurer, and Samuel Butterfield, Solomon Ad- 
ams and Nehemiah Blodget, committee for that year. 

At this meeting they took measures to settle with Jo- 
seph North, and Solomon Adams for the survey of the 
town, which had jDreviously been completed. Samuel 
Butterfield, Church Brainard and Solomon Adams were 
chosen a committee to dispose of lots on which tlie divi- 
dends had not been paid. 



History of Farmington — Chapter 3. 17 

• This meeting was continued by adjournment to the 
first Wednesday of March, 1786, in the course of which 
period the proprietors closed most of their business; and 
made an assessment of one pound on a right for the 
repair of roads, to be paid in labor at four shillings a 
day, and chose Seth Greely and Church Brainard sur- 
veyors to see it expended, and make returns to the 
committee, and chose Samuel Butterfield, Solomon Ad- 
ams and Samuel Bullen, agents on matters relative to 
securing their titles; but it does not appear that any 
thing decisive was done until February, 1790, or any 
records kept of the doings of the associates. 



CHAPTER III. 



Stephen Titcomh — Joseph Brown — Nathaniel Davis — Enoch Craig — 
William Kannady — Solomon Adams — Nehemiah Blodget — Samuel 
Butterfield — Jonas Butterfield — Jonathan Knoiolton — Peter Cor- 
bett — Francis Tiffts. 

We shall now trace the settlement of the town from 
the commencement in 1781, until the title was obtain- 
ed in 1790, from the commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Stephen Titcomb Esq. as has already been stated, com- 
menced making improvements on the farm on which 
Capt. Charles Gill now lives, in September, 1776, which 
he continued to enlarge until 1780, when he built a 
log-house, having before lived in a temporary camp. — 
That season he raised some corn, potatoes and turnips. 
Having secured his corn in a crib and his potatoes and 

C 



18 Stephen Titcomh, 

turnips in the ground, he returned to Topsham, from 
which he started with his family in the winter of 1781, 
intending to move immediately into this town, but on ac- 
count of the depth of the snow he was compelled to stop 
through the winter at Constant Norton's in Readiield, 
near the spot now occupied by the brick school -house, 
his being the last house. He came up and got in his 
crop in the spring, and then went down after his family, 
and, on the road, met Joseph Brown and Nathaniel Da- 
vis, on their way with their families to the Sandy- Ri- 
ver. He returned immediately with his family. The 
corn which, the fall before, he had secured in a crib, 
was destroyed by bears, while he was detained by the 
snow^ His potatoes and turnips having kept well, the 
forftier served for seed for the settlers that year. 

The stock which Mr. Titcomb brought with him con- 
sisted of a yoke of oxen and three cows, which he pro- 
vided for by pasturing them in the woods in the sum- 
mer season and cut meadow-hay and raised oats for fod- 
der in the winter. 

The nearest mill at this time was at Winthrop where 
the factory now stands, about 30 miles distant, which 
subjected the earliest settlers to great inconvenience, as 
the road was bad, and most of them, as is commonly 
the case in new settlements, had no means of transporta- 
tion. A saw-mill, however, was got into operation as 
early as November, 1781, when Mr. Titcomb went up 
with his team to haul in timber to saw for the running 
gear for a grist-mill. He stayed all night and sawed a 
thousand feet of boards in the evening, being the first 
boards sawed on the Sandy-River or any of its waters. 
The grist-mill was set in operation in the August fol- 
lowing, which relieved the inhabitants of one of their 
greatest embarrassments. 



Stephen Titcomh — Joseph Brown — NaihH Davis. 19 

Mr. Titcomb built his first barn in April, 1785, and 

his house in 1788, into which he moved in 1789 

The Rev. Mr. Emerson preached the first sermon in 
the Valley of the Sandy-River, in Mr. Titcomb's log- 
house. Stephen Titcomb Jr., son of Mr. Titcomb, was 
born November 4, 1782, being the first white male 
child born in the town. He died Sept. 26, 1830. 

Mrs. Titcomb was a native of Johnstown, Rhode Isl- 
and. She died November 6, 1839, at the age of 90. 
Mr. Titcomb lived on the farm on which he first set- 
tled 59 years, and which he sold in 1840 to Capt. Charles 
Gill. On selling his farm he removed to the village, 
where he is now living at the advanced age of 93 years. 
He is the only survivor among the heads of the seven 
families who first spent the winter in the town. 

Joseph Brown and Nathaniel Davis removed from Win- 
throp to this then uninhabited wilderness in May, 1781, 
being the first families who moved into the town, or this 
side of what is now Readfield. Mr. Brown settled on 
the farm now owned by John Brooks and Loring Sweet. 
Having made but little preparation for the accommoda- 
tion of a family, Mr. Brown erected a temporary camp, 
which answered his purpose till he became able to build 
a more substantial one. Mrs. Brown whose maiden 
name was Mary Greely, was one of the six heads of fami- 
lies of the same name, and children of Greely, who 

early settled in this town. They were natives of Haver- 
hill, Mass. Mrs. Brown being lame and there being only 
a path bushed out along the river, was under the necessi- 
ty of riding on horse-back, notwithstanding the man'y 
dangers of the road. Coming down a steep descent with- 
in a short distance of their destined residence, she was 
thrown over the horse's head at the risk of her life. Mr. 
Brown built his fiist house on the intervale where it was 



20 Joseph Brown — Nathaniel Davis. 

surrounded by water to a considerable depth in the great 
freshet of 1785, when the family had to make their es- 
cape in a canoe during the darkness of night, after 
which he built another log-house on the upland. He 
suffered severely by the loss of his crops in 1783 by a 
frost on the night of the 9th of August. He put up the 
first framed barn in the upper part of the town about 
1787, the boards of which were fastened on by pegs — an 
invention not uncommon with the early settlers, and 
which answered a valuable . purpose. He erected his 
house in 1793. 

Mr. Brown was born on the Merrimac-River in Mass. 
He served as a soldier in the French-War, in which he 
was made partially a cripple through life, by the lodgment 
of a ball in his leg, which was never extracted. He 
came to this place poor — himself and wife partially crip- 
pled, but by persevering industry and strict economy they 
soon became clear of debt and independent, but from 
circumstances mostly beyond his control, he subsequently 
became reduced in circumstances and his farm was sold 
to John Patterson, from Damariscotta. About 1796 he 
removed to Industry, (then Plymouth-Patent,) with his 
oldest son, Samuel Brown, where his wife soon after died, 
and the wife of his son likewise. The family having 
been broken up he was supported by the town of Indus- 
try, where he died about 1810. 

Mr. Davis, who, as has already been stated, removed 
to this town with Mr. Brown, in May, 1781, and whose 
wife also was a Greely, settled on the farm now owned by 
Jacob Abbott Esq. His situation was similar to that of 
Mr. Brown, having made little or no preparation for the 
reception of a family. He however fitted up a camp 
which answered his purpose for a time. He afterwards 
erected a more substantial log dwelling. He subsequent- 



NathH Davis — Jeriah Blake — Enoch Craig. 21 

\y became insane, and, inclining to forsake the society 
of his family and betake himself to the forest, he made 
the little eminence just south of the present residence 
of Rev. Samuel Abbott his principal abode, it then 
being covered with a thick growth of spruce. He af- 
terwards became quite rational. 

About 1790 Jeriah Blake removed from Augusta into 
this town, with his family, and took up his residence 
with Mr. Davis and wife, — who had no children — where 
they remained till about 1793, when they removed to 
the farm now owned by Adam Mott, in Wilton, (then 
Tyngtown.) Mr. Davis moved to the "Upper-Town," 
now Phillips, where his wife died. He afterwards re- 
sided in the family of Mr. Blake in Temple. He was 
subject at times to partial insanity, and was afterwards 
supported by the town of Temple where he died. Mr. 
D's farm passed into the hands of Samuel Pool, who 
set up a tannery and continued business for some years. 
Mr. Pool was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, 
and is, with his wife, still living, at an advanced age, 
in Mount-Vernon. Mr. Blake died at the residence of 
his son, John L. Blake, in Phillips, July 14, 1840, aged 
89 years. He was an officer in the Revolution. 

In June 1781, Enoch Craig, Robert Kannady, Calvin 
Edson and Gerret Burns came from that part of Hal- 
lowell now Augusta, for the purpose of viewing the 
country. Mr. Kannady had drawn a right in the 
town the year previous. Mr. Craig was a native of 
Wrentham Mass. He early enlisted in the continental 
service and served until 1780, when he left the army 
and came into this part of the country for the purpose 
of procuring land for a settlement — his brother Elias 
having been settled at what is now Augusta, They re- 
turned immediately, and in September Mr. Craig with 



^ Enoch Craig — William Kannady. 

William; Kamiady came up and felled some trees on the 
farm on which Joseph S. Craig now lives, and that 
known as the Heath-Farm, on which Mr. Kannady set- 
tled. They found some bark peeled, of which they 
constructed a camp., Mr. Craig sowed two bushels of 
winter-wheat in the fall of 1782, which was all winter- 
killed*. He sowed the same ground with spring-wheat 
in 1783 and planted some corn which was all killed by 
the great frost in August. In 1785 he suffered consi- 
derable damage by the great freshet which flowed his 
hovel to a considerable depth and injured his grain. 
Mr. Craig continued to make improvements, and added 
to his farm already begun upon, the lot immediately 
above.. He erected a superior log-house near the inter- 
vale. In the winter of 1789 he went to (now) Augus- 
ta, with Dorothy Starling his intended wife, for the pur- 
pose of being married, where they had previously been 
published, (there being no person nearer than that vi- 
cinity qualified to solenmize marriages.) He erected his. 
framed barn about this time, but his house was not 
raised till 1795 or 1796. He possessed the universal 
confidence of his townsmen and was elected one of the 
first selectmen, in which office he served some years, 
and subsequently to the office of town-treasurer, and 
to other responsible offices, all of which he filled with 
fidelity. He died December 10, 1835, aged 77 years, 
and his wife February 2, 1829, aged 66 years. 

William Kannady, as has been stated, commenced on 
what has since been called the Heath-Farm, in 1781, 
where he soon made a permanent settlement, and erect- 
ed a log-house on the first rise from the intervale. He 
lost his wife in January, 1788, who was the third adult 
that died in the town. Mr. Phillip Davenport, who 
lived near where Fairbanks'-Bridge now stands, lost a 



William Kannady — Solomon Adams, 23 

«child a few days before, and they were both buried in 
what is called the Old-Burying-Ground, near the Cen- 
ter-Bridge. This was the first biirying-ground in town. 

Mr. Kannady was afterwards married to Sarah Smith. 
They accompanied Mr. Craig to Hallowell for that pur- 
pose. He continued on the farm on which he first be- 
gun until 1792, when he sold to Benjamin Heath from 
Freetown, Mass. who set up and carried on the black- 
smithing business in connection with farming, for some 
years. About 1817, he sold and removed with his sons 
to what is now Salem, and built the first mills in that 
place, where he died in 1826. 

Mr. Kannady removed to what is now Temple, and, 
after a number of removals he again settled in this town, 
where he died in 1820, aged 67. His wife is still 
living. 

Solomon Adams, formerly of Chelmsford, (now Low- 
ell, Mass.,) having served in the war of the Revolution, 
from the commencement until near 1781, in the course 
of that year came to the Sandy-River for the purpose 
of settling. He made some improvements on the farm 
on which Benjamin Adams now lives and built a log- 
house. At this time he brought his provisions from 
Chelmsford by land to Boston, from thence to Hallo- 
well by water and from there to this place on horse- 
back. He lost his barn by fire, with all his effects in 
1788. He erected his first framed house in 1787, and 
married with Hannah Butterfield about the same time. 
He was a practical surveyor, in which capacity he was 
of great use in the then new country. Mr. Adams held 
various offices in the militia, was early commissioned as 
justice-of-the-peace, was chosen town-clerk, treasurer 
and selectman, in all of which offices he served for ma- 
ny years with credit to himself and to the interest of 



24 Nehemiah Blodget — SamH and Jonas Bnttetjield. 

the town. He was killed in Vienna by being thrown 
from his carriage, November 4, 1833, at the age of 75 
years. His wife is still living on the same farm, and 
draws a pension from the U. S. for the services of her 
late husband in the war of the Revolution. 

Nehemiah Blodget begun on the farm known as the 
Brown-Farm, in the lower part of the town, now own- 
ed by Daniel Beale Jr., — in 1780, where he made a 
permanent settlement and built the first framed house 
in this town, about 1785. The same house has since 
been fitted up and now stands on what was a part of 
the Tufts-Farm, a little east of its former location. Mr. 
Blodget sold to a Mr. Ditson. Capt. Samuel Brown 
settled on this farm in 1801, and erected new build- 
ings. He died in 1811. His widow Susannah Brown 
is still living at the advanced age of 94 years. Mr. Blodg- 
et soon left the place and little is known of his history. 

Samuel Butterfield and Jonas Butterfield, removed from 
Dunstable, Mass., to this town in November 1781, and 
brought their families in a wagon. They came through 
Lewiston to Monmouth over a new road, where there was 
but a spotted line the spring before. Samuel Butterfield 
settled on the lot now owned by Moses Butterfield. Hav- 
ing no buildings erected, he set up four crotches on which 
he laid poles and covered them with elm bark, which an- 
swered a valuable purpose for a dwelling-house for some 
years, with the addition of a small framed building, being 
the first of the kiud put up in the town. These buildings 
were occupied by Mr. Butterfield until he built what was 
long called the Butterfield-Red-House, about 1789, (now 
white and occupied by Moses Butterfield. Mr. Butter- 
field built the brick house now owned by James Butter- 
field, in 1800, the first brick building erected in the town. 
Mr. Butterfield was one of the three who purchased the 



Jonas BuUerjkld — Jonathan KnowUon. 23 

town in 1790. He was chosen representative in 1808, 
and died the same year, aged QQ years. Prudence But- 
terfield, his youngest daughter, (now widow Whittier — 
formerly Russell,) born February 12, 1784, is said 
to have been the first female born in town, but it ap- 
pears by the records, that she was the second, a Mr. 
Page having had a daughter born in the winter of 1783. 

Jonas Butterfield settled on the farm now owned by 
David Ingham, where he died at an advanced age. — 
The farm cleared by him passed to David Ingham, a son- 
in-law, and from him to the present occupant. 

Jonathan Knowlton 1st, moved into this town in the 
course of 1781, from Damarjscotta, He was a native of 
Ipswich, Mass. and he settled on the farm now owned 
by Jonathan and Francis Knowlton. He built his first 
log-house on the intervale, which was surrounded by 
water in the great freshet, October 1785, to the depth 
of four feet. He was compelled to convey his family 
across the river in the night in a canoe, to a higher peak 
of intervale on which Francis Tufts had built a log-house, 
which was all surrounded by water, where all remained 
with trembling anxiety, expecting every moment to see 
the canoe sunk by the drift-stuff, which run without 
cessation from the low lands then in the progress of 
clearing, until the last trip was made, and to their asto- 
nishment and joy, all were safely landed. Mr. Knowl- 
ton soon after built a more substantial log building on the 
upland in which he lived till about 1796 when he built 
a framed house. At this date he was in easy circum- 
stances but in the commencement he and his family suf- 
fered in common with many others, as is frequently the 
case in making new settlements so far in the wilderness. 
For the first year they were not favored with a chair 
or a table, and for the want of a mill had to hull corn 

D 



2B Peter Corhett. 

and pound samp. Mr. Knowlton was one of the princi- 
pal agents in the purchase of the township now New- 
Vineyard. He was also the principal owner of the mills 
and machinery at the Falls, for a time. He died in 1819 
at the age of 70. Samuel Knowlton his second son was 
born Jan. 14, 1783, being the second male child born in 
town. 

Peter Corbctt moved his family into the new settlement 
from Winthrop, in January 1782. Mr. Corbett was a 
native of Milford, Mass. — had moved his family from 
that place, the year previous, to Winthrop, where they 
remained while he was making preparation to remove 
them to this place. He was one of the associates and 
drew the lot on which he settled it being the south 
part of the farm now occupied and owned by Rufus 
Corbett and sons, on which he built the second framed 
house in the town in 1786. (This has recently been 
torn down.) Mr. Corbe tt made the bricks for his chimney 
on his farm, and which are supposed to have been the 
first made in town. Mr." Corbctt made the seventh fa- 
mily that wintered in town in 1782. He was one of the 
first selectmen, in which office he acted for many years. 

Francis Tufts a native of Medford, Mass., having mar- 
ried a daughter of Ebenezer Blunt and settled in No- 
bleborough in 1780, came on horseback to a Mr. Emer- 
son's on the farm since known as the Ingham-Farm at the, 
foot of the Folsom-Hill in Mount- Vernon, from thence 
by a compass, struck the Wilson-Stream near the pre- 
sent location of the Whittier-B ridge, then traveled up as 
far as Strong, his object having been to explore the 
country. He purchased a possession of one Mr. Knights, 
(the farm on which Samuel Daggett now lives,) and 
continued to make improvements until November 1783, 
when he removed his family together with Mr. and 



Francis Tufts. 27 

« 

Mrs. Blunt, his wife's parents. He was four days on 

the road, brought his children in hanyards made of bas- 
ket-stuff, on horseback. He came some distance on the 
east side of the Kennebec, under the bank, at low water, 
to Pittston-Ferry, there crossed, then had a road to 
Mount- Vernon, then a spotted line. They brought little 
save their beds. Mr. Tufts had erected a log-house 
which he covered with elm bark, and floored with hewn 
bass-wood planks and made partitions of the same. 
His jambs and back were of hemlock. He cut the first 
English hay, though Mr. Titcomb raised the first corn 
and grain. His corn was injured by the frost on the 
9th of August, 1783, yet he saved his red corn. Mr. 
Blunt died in 1784, the first instance of the death of 
an adult in the town. Mr. Tufts, built the first mills 
at the Falls in 1788, sold one-half to Ebenezer Jones 
in 1 790, and he built his framed house on the intervale in 
1791, and his barn previously to that time, and his 
brick house on the road in 18^0. He was one of three 
who purchased the town in 1790. He sold his farm 
and removed to the upper part of the town about 1 8 — , 
and subsequently to his son's near the old farm when 
he relinquished business. On the death of his wife he 
went to the state of Ohio in 1831, where he died in 
October, 1834, aged 93 years. 



28 History of Farmington — Chapter 4, 



CHAPTER IV. 



Jesse Gould — W^m. Gould — Benjamin Weathcrn — Reuben Loioell — 
Jesse Butterjield — Robert Goioer — Joseph Greely — Seth, Greely — 
Zacheus Mai/hew — Hartson Cony — Supply Belcher — Simeon Russ 

— Joseph Sylvester Joseph Holland- — John Church — Reuben 

Page — Ebenezer Sweet — Micah Weathers — Benjamin Blackston. 



Jesse and William Gould removed from Dunstable, 
Mass. in 1782. Jesse settled on the farm now owned 

by Ira Arms by, and married with Starling. They 

sold in 1837 and removed to the Ohio with their son, 
where both have since died. 

William settled on the farm where Daniel Sewall now 
lives, where he died. He was appointed adjutant 
in the militia soon after k was organized on the Sandy- 
River, and subsequently held the office of brigadier ge- 
neral. He represented the town in the general-court of 
Massachusetts in 1822, and died at his residence some 
years since. 

In 1783 Benjamin Weathern from Nobleborough 
made a beginning on the farm now owned by his son 
of the same name. Here he subsequently made a set- 
tlement and died, of cold-fever, about 1814. 

Reuben Lowell from Kingston, Mass., also settled a- 
bout the same time on the westerly side of the river, 
where Samuel Lowell now lives. He was a man of in- 
telligence and filled several responsible offices in the ear- 
ly settlement of the country. He died in Chesterville. 

Jesse Butterfield formerly of Dunstable, Mass., also 
setded this year, on the farm adjoining Mr. Lowell's 
where Nathaniel Greenwood now lives, where he lived 



Robert Gower — Z. Maijhew — Hartson Cony. 29 

to the advanced age of ninety, to enjoy the liberality of 
his country, for the services rendered by him in the war 
of the Revolution. He died March 7, 1842. 

Robert Gower also moved his family this year, from 
Topsham. He was a native of England and his wife of 
Johnstown, R. I., He settled on the farm adjoining Mr. 
Titcomb's where he began to make improvements in 
1776, and made a permanent settlement in 1782. He 
died Aug. 26, 1806, aged 84. His wife died in New- 
Sharon, Jan. 15, 1836, aged 91. 

In the course of the same year Joseph and Seth Gree- 
ly, with their father, moved from Winthrop. Joseph set- 
tled on the lot now owned by Mr. Stoyells and others, 
and on which a large portion of the Center-Village, 
is situated. He purchased the possession of a Mr. Snow 
who had made a temporary beginning. Mr. G. made 
considerable improvements, and built the first framed 
barn in this neighborhood in 1788. He sold to Zache- 
us Mayhew, a native of Martha's- Vineyard, about 1791. 
He removed to Pond-Town, (now Belgrade,) where he 
died some years since. Mr. Mayhew build a large house 
in 1792, and made considerable improvements and soon 
after sold to Hartson Cony, a native of Easton, Mass., 
and commenced improvements on the farm now owned 
by Abraham Johnson, and subsequently removed to No- 
bleborough, where he died. Mr. Cony was naturally a 
business man and was one of the first who commenced 
trading. He afterwards sold to Ebenezer Sweet. He 
died in Canada. 

Seth Greely, with his father, settled on the farm now 
owned by Enoch C. Belcher and Hiram Belcher, and 
continued to make improvements till 1 790, when he sold 
to supply Belcher, and soon after removed with his fa- 
ther to what is now Phillips, where his father died. He 



30 *S'. Greely — *S'. Belcher — -S'. Rnss — J. Sylvester. 

removed, in 1818, with his son, Moses Greely to Ohio, 
his wife having died at Phillips. He has since died. 

Mr. Belcher was a native of Stoughton, Mass. He 
removed to that part of Hallowell now Augusta, from 
wdiich place he removed his family to the farm before 
owned by Mr. Greely, in the winter of 1791. He acted 
as agent for the inhabitants of the then plantation in pro- 
curing the act of incorporation in 1794, and was the 
first town-clerk, and afterwards one of the selectmen. 
He represented the town in the general-court of Massa- 
chusetts at different periods. He early held a commis- 
sion of justice-of-the-peace, and was one of the princi- | 
pal acting magistrates till near his death. He died 1836, | 
aged 84 years. f 

Simeon Russ, in the course of 1783, settled on the | 
farm now owned by Samuel Stanley, whose family is ^ 
said to have been the first that moved above Joseph i 
Brown's. He subsequently removed to the lot now own-|- 
ed by Joseph Riant, and afterwards to the upper lot inf 
town, now improved by James Wellman, where he made* . 
some improvements, erected temporary buildings, lost^ 
his wife, and from which he w ent to Canada. 

The farm on which Mr. Russ first settled passed into 
the hands of Jason D. Cony, where he made a settlement 
about 1794, and built the first mill in the upper part 
of the town, in connection with Robert Jones. 

Joseph Sylvester settled on the farm now owned by 
Thomas Hunter, sold to Benjamin Butler, a native of 
Martha's- Vineyard, in 1790, and commenced on the oth- 
er side of the river. Mr. Butler conveyed to his son, 
from whom it passed into the hands of the present occu- 
pant. Mr. Butler was a house-joiner by trade and took 
the lead in building most of the first dwelling-houses on 
the river. He died in Avon. 



J. Holland— J. Church. 31 

Jost^ph Holland made a settlement on the farm on 
which the upper part of the village is situated, about 
this time. He built a temporary house near the inter- 
vale. It is said that the first marriage solemnized in 
town was in this house, while without a floor; Joseph 
Battle and Eunice Maloon having been joined in mar- 
riage by Dummer Sewall Esq, of Bath. They were serv- 
ed with a good quarter of baked lamb, but had no knives • 
excepting those they carried with them. 

Mr. Holland sold to John Church, 1790, and removed 
to the other side of the river and from there to No. 1, 
now Temple, having been one of the first settlers in that 
town. Mr. Church removed his family from Augusta to 
this town, in company with Mr. Belcher, in the winter 
of 1791, (having worked the winter before in company 
with Josiah Blake, at his trade in Solomon Butterfield's 
old log-house, on the western side of the river.) They 
went into a log-house which had been built by Mr. Holland, 
being his second, on the hill a few feet north of where 
the Church-House now stands, which was put up by Mr. 
C. in 1793 or 4. This was the first on the rise where the 
village now is, it being then an unbroken forest, with the 
exception of a small piece around Mr. Church's house. — 
Mr. Church had caused a shop to be put up the season 
before, in which he commenced business as a blacksmith, 
and which he continued in connection with his farm. — 
He soon after opened a public house which was the first 
in town. He removed to what is now Salem, in connec- 
tion with his son Samuel Church and afterwards return- 
ed to his former residence. He was a native of Kinnis- 
ton, Conn, and died at his former residence, March 12, 
1 838, aged 85 years. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Susannah Cony, was from Easton, Mass. She died 
May 6, 1844, aged 88. 



32 R. Page — E> Siveet — M. Weathern. B. Blackston, 

Reuben Page settled about this time on the lot after- 
wards owned by Ebenezer Sweet, on which the souther- 
ly part of the Center- Village is now situated. Mr. P. 
early removed from the place and little is known of his 
history. It appears by the records that he had a daugh- 
ter born in the winter of 1783, the first female born in 
the town. 

Mr. Sweet was from Attleborough, Mass. and succeed- 
ed Mr. Page some time previous to 1784. He commenc- 
ed the first tannery in town, in 1785, which was situated 
near where the Congregational Meeting-house now stands. 
He afterwards enlarged his farm by the purchase of the 
lot north of his former settlement. He died November 
4, 1835, aged 96 years, and his wife Desire Sweet, De- 
cember 12, 1839, aged 95. They were people of indus- 
trious habits and arrived to a competency for the conven- 
iences of life by their own industry and economy. A 
"fell piece," about where the Congregational-Meeting- 
house now stands, was first planted late in June by Mrs. 
Sweet, with the aid of a case-knife for the want of a more 
suitable instrument of husbandry, from which they deriv- 
ed a plentiful harvest. This was one of their first helps 
in the commencement. 

In 1781 or 1782 Micah Weathern visited the Sandy- 
River region for the purpose of making a settlement. — - 
He commenced on the lot now owned by Amasa Cor- 
bett and soon after exchanged with Benjamin Blackston, 
and moved to Middle-town, now Strong, Mr, Blackston 
dying, Lydia Blackston, his widow, became the owner 
in the right of her husband, from whom it passed to Pe- 
ter Corbett who had settled on the lot adjoining on the 
south. 



History of Farmington — Chapter 5* 3S 



CHAPTER V. 

Reuben Butterjield — 3Ioses Chandler — Joseph Bradford — Indian Bar- 
barity — Heroic Act — Isaac Teague — Isaac Page — Samuel Keen — 
Phillip Davetiport — John Huston — John Austin — Jacob Eaton — 
\Vm. Thorn — Moses Starling — Sainuel Sewall — Amos Page — Eze- 
kiel Page — Ebenczer Norton — Thomas Hiscock — Benjamin Whitti- 
cr — Ephraim Cowan — David B. Coioan — Other Settlers, 

Reuben Butterfield came from Dunstable, Mass., while 
a single man, in 1781, with Samuel Butterfield, made 
a temporary sfay, then returned to his native place. 
After a stay of a year or two returned to the San- 
dy-River and recommenced improvements or purchased 
a new possessen of Abraham Page,, being the farm now 
owned by Thomas Lewis and Alfred Bradford, which 
soon after passed into the hands of Joseph Bradford. 
Mr. Butterfield then purchased of Moses Chandler, who 
had previously commenced on the farm where he now 
resides in the family of George Wheeler, on the west 
side of the river. Mr. Chandler purchased the farm ad- 
joining, now owned by his son, Moses Chandler, of a 
Mr. Kinney, from Hallowell, who had made some im- 
provements. His crops having been injured by the 
frost he became discouraged and returned to his native 
place. 

Mr. Chandler was chosen captain of the south com- 
pany when first organized — was the second colonel who 
commanded the regiment first organized on the Sandy- 
River. He represented the town in the general-court 
of Massachusets, in 1806. He died some twenty years 
since. His wife is still living. 

Joseph Bradford was from Meduncook, now Friendship, 
in this state. His wife, formerly Abigail Starling, with 

E 



34 Joseph Bradford — Indian Barbarity. 

her sister Dorothy, (afterwards Mrs. Craig,) came from 
Friendship on horseback, but as they had one of Mrs. 
B's children to bring they could only ride by turns, — -the 
one riding taking charge of the child. The road then 
was only a spotted line, bushed out. 

During the French and Indian War of 1755, the pa- 
rents of Mr. Bradford were inhumanly murdered by the 
savages. They, with others equally enterprising had 
removed to a then new and thinly settled portion of the 
state, then known as Meduncook, (now Friendship,) and 
already had their labors been crowned with success, but 
the din of war with its attendant perils broke in upon 
their peaceful toils. A garrison was speedily erected and 
the various families removed there. Mr. B's being but a 
short distance from, and directly in view of the garrison^ 
he did not deem it necessary to remove, as they could 
easily reach it if attacked. One morning, while Mr. 
B. was engaged in pounding corn, a simple substitute for 
obtaining meal, a party of Indians was seen from the gar- 
rison to be approaching the house. An alarm gun was 
soon fired, but owing to the noise of the mortar it was 
not heard by the inmates, and the savages were not per- 
ceived until they entered their dwelling. They imme- 
diately dispatched Mr. and Mrs. B. A daughter of some 
twelve or fourteen years of age, who had sought a mo- 
mentary concealment, sprung from under the bed and 
caught the infant as it fell unharmed from the mother's 
arms, and fled through the open door for the Garrison. 
The Indians pursued, but not being able to OA^ertake 
her, threw a tomahawk, which inflicted a deep wound 
in her side. But the heroic girl clasping the babe more 
firmly with one hand, with the other prevented her in- 
testines from falling to the ground, and in this situation 
reached the garrison. She recovered from the wound. 



L Page — /. Teague — S. Keen — P, Davenport. 35 

and subsequently married and removed to Vermont where 
she became the mother of a family of children. 

The Indians succeeded in capturing two of Mr. B's 
brothers, being young lads, and carried them to Canada. 
They were afterwards exchanged, but deceptively de- 
tained in the state of New- York, but eventually reached 
home after some lapse of time, through a train of pro- 
vidential circumstances. 

Isaac Teague settled not long after the date at the 
close of the last chapter, on the farm now owned byFran-r 
cis and Peter P. Tufts from whom it passed to Francis 
Tufts 2d, the father of the present occupants, about 1790. 

Isaac Page settldi||[about this time near the center of 
the town on the lot afterwards owned by Jedediah Tho- 
mas and others, on the west side of the river. He left 
the town at an early day and little is known of his his- 
tory. 

Samuel Keen commenced a settlement on the farm 
now occupied by William Adams prior to 1784, and Sam- 
uel Bullen from Hallowell, who was one of the associates, 
on the Case-Farm, soon after. Mr. K. afterwards sold to 
Solomon Adams Esq., and went to Curvo, (now Phillijis,) 
where he afterwards died. Mr. Bullen subsequently 
sold to Mr. Case, and he has since died. 

Phillip Davenport settled about the same time, just 
below where the Fairbank's-Bridge now stands, near 
Jone's-Rock, on the mill-lot. He soon left and was fol- 
lowed by Robert Jones. 

John Huston, a native of Dunstable, Mass., removed 
from Sidney about this time, and made a settlement on 
the farm now owned by Jeremiah and Ephraim S. Butler. 
He made his first clearing on the intervale where he 
erected a log-house. He made a clearing on that partqf 



36 John Austin — Jacob Eaton — William Thorn. 

his farm where the village at Backus'-Corner is situated, 
where he built a log-house in 1792. He died in 1794. 
His former wife was one of the Greely family. 

John Austin removed from Brunswick in 1784, and 
settled on the west side of the river, opposite the center 
of the town. He was the first sexton in the town, in 
which capacity he served many years. He was a soldier 
in the French war of 1755, was at the taking of Quebec, 
under Gen. Wolf, and also served as a soldier in the 
war of the Revolution. 

Mrs. Austin was a native of Cape-Ann, and was gene- 
rally known to the first settlers on the Sandy-River as 
a doctress, in which capacity she mndered the inhabi- 
tants essential services, for many years — there having 
been no settled physician in this section of the country 
till about 1792. 

Jacob Eaton removed his family from Bristol to this 
town in October, 1784. He settled on the farm now 
owned by Thomas Davis, the Greenwoods, and others, 
known as the Mill-lot. He purchased the mill built by 
Colburn & Pullen, with his brother Joseph Eaton, who 
sold his half to MoSfiS Starling, about two years after, 
and returned to his former residence. Mr. Jacob Eaton 
attended to farming as well as to carrying on the mills, 
which were rebuilt and considerably improved by him 
and Mr. Starling. He erected framed buildings prior to 
1790. In 1791 he went to the province of New-Bruns- 
wick, where he was drowned at St.-John's Falls, Nov, 
18, 1791. Mr. William Thorn, father of Mrs. Eaton, 
an elderly gentleman, who came with Mr. Eaton's fa- 
mily, died in the fall of 1786, being the second death in 
the town. Mr. Thorn was from Topsham, where he suf- 
fered severely in the French and Indian war of 1755, by 
losing an arm, and by having a son scalped by the In- 



M. Starling— -S. Sewall—A. ^ E. Page—E. Norton. 37 

dians. He was buried near the Center-Bridge, in what 
is now called the Old-Burying-ground. Mrs. Eaton di- 
ed in 1804, aged 64. 

Moses Starling came from Bristol to this town in Sept. 
1786, and commenced on the farm now improved by the 
widow of the late Lemuel Perham, deceased, (though 
his family remained at Bristol, until 1788.) He soon af- 
ter purchased half of the mills, formerly known as 
Starling's-Mills, — of Joseph Eaton, which he carried on 
together with the improvement of his farm. He was the 
most efficient carpenter in the place for some years. — 
He received a commission as justice-of-the-peace, in 1 790, 
w^hich was the first held in the town. He was also the 
first post-master, and the first town-treasurer. He died 
in October, 1809, aged 62. His wife Mary Starling 
survived till 1814, when she died at the age of 75. 

Mr. Samuel Sewall settled about this time where 
John Morrison now lives, at the lower extremity of 
the town. He commenced tanning at' this place, being 
one of the first tanners in town. He built the first mills 
at this place, about 1792, as also the house now occu- 
pied by Mr. Morrison, some time previously. Mr. Sew- 
all became an acceptable preacher and sold to Mr. Mor- 
rison, about 1805, after which he prosecuted his labors 
as a preacher in diiferent places. 

Amos Page, and Ezekiel Page, his father, made a 
settlement this year, 1786, on the farm now owned by 
George W. Norton and Samuel B. Norton. They erect- 
ed a temporary building below the ridge near the in- 
tervale. They sold to Ebenezer Norton Esq., who re- 
moved from Edgartown, Mass., and built the house now 
owned by George W. Norton and a barn under the hill, 
in 1791. He was chosen representative in 1804, and 
died in the same vear. 



38 T. Hiscock—B. J¥hiitier—E. ^•. D. B. Cmvan. 

Thomas Hiscock removed in 1787 from Damariscotta 
and settled on the farm now owned by Hh*am Hiscock 
and Caleb Butterfield on the west side of the river, 
where he resided till his death, many years since. His 
wife died the present season. 

Benjamin Whittier, in this or the following year, re- 
moved from Readfield and settled on what is now called 
the Whittier-Farm, on the west side of Sandy-River, and 
adjoining Chesterville. He was from New-Hampshire, 
and he died about 1822. 

Ephraim Cowan formerly of Dunstable, Mass., remov- 
ed with his family from Augusta, in 1788 and settled on 
the lot now owned by Dr. Flint and others, with his 
son David B. Cowan, they being the first settlers in 
that neighborhood. Mr. Cowan was one of the asso- 
ciates and had taken an active part in the purchase and 
settlement of the town, previous to his removing into it. 
He was the first clerk of the associates. He served as 
a soldier during most of the French-War. His death oc- 
curred June 9, 1797. 

David B. Cowan made the first beginning on what is 
called Cowan-Hill about 1800, where he moved in 1805., 
He died in 1830. 

In March, 1788, Lemuel Perham 1st,. Eliphalet Bai- 
ley, Oliver Bailey, and John F. Woods 1st, removed from 
Dunstable, Mass. They brought their families and ef- 
fects with ox teams, and arrived here on the 3rd day of 
Aprils having been 23 days on the road, the first part of 
their journey having been impeded for the want of snow 
and the latter part by the snow falling to an unusual 
depth. It was with great difficulty that they could make 
any progress on the road. The three former settled in 
the easterly part of the town, in the Bailey-Hill-Neigh- 
borhood, they being the first settlers in that section of 



Settl'ers and Settlements. 39 

the town, except one Joseph Ralph, who had commenc- 
ed on the farm now owned by Richard Parker, some few 
years before, who occupied it alone till 1792 or 1793 
when he sold to Peter West and removed to what is 
now Starks. Mr. West sold to Zachariah Norton, soon 
after, from whom it passed to William Parker, Esq., who 
died about 1840 and left it to the present occupant. 

A Mr. Hartwell, Eliphalet Gennings, Abraham Smith, 
and Samuel Stowers, settled in the more easterly part 
of the town soon after. Mr» Gennings and Mr. Smith 
are still living not only to enjoy the fruits of their perse- 
vering industry in cultivating the wilderness, but the 
bounty of their country for their early services in the 
war of the revolution in the establishment of our inde- 
pendence. 

Deacon Woods settled on the farm now owned by 
Nathaniel Woods in the southerly part of the town, being 
one of the first in that section. He was one of the first 
who united in church capacity in the town, and from 
which time till his death he filled the office of deacon. 
He was for many years one of the selectmen. He died 
in 1815, aged 62. His wife Mary Woods survived till 
October, 1844, when she died at the advanced age of 
96 years and two days. 

Silas Gould, (since known as Col. Gould,) removed 
from Dunstable, Mass., and made a settlement on the 
farm now owned by John A. Gould in the w^esterly sec- 
tion of the town, in 1786, being the first on a back lot. 
He purchased a right in what was then called Tyngtown 
(now Wilton,) where he afterwards removed to make 
the necessary settlement. 

Eli Brainard settled on the farm now owned by Leon- 
ard M. Hiscock, at an early date. He left for the South 
soon after 1791. 



40 " Settlers and Settlements. 

Ephraim Butteifield 1st and 2d, Josiah and Jonas 
Green, Samuel Chandler and Samuel Knowlton, were 
among the early settlers in the same section of the town. 

John Rice settled about this time on the farm now 
owned by J. S. Ellis. He afterwards sold to Jonathan 
Cushman, from the vicinity of New-Bedford, Mass,, who 
died April 24, 1834, aged 79. 

In 1789 Peter Gay a native of* Stoughton, Mass., 
removed his family from Meduncook, now Friendship, 
in this state, and settled on the west side of the river^ 
on the farm now owned by Benjamin Dutton, his sons 
Elisha and Jabez, having worked the year previous in 
the place. Mr. Gay was a blacksmith by trade, he set 
up the business at this place and carried on farming 
with good success. He built the first framed barn in 
that section of the town about 1790. 

Elisha Gay began soon after to make improvements 
on the farm now owned by Hiram Gay, near the upper 
part of the town, where he made a permanent settle- 
ment, and where he remained till his death, in 1842 — 
His age was 74. 

Samuel Briggs settled near the same time on the farm 
now owned by Peter R. Tufts on the west side of the river. 
He sold to Nathaniel Hearsey in 1796, and removed to 
No. 1, now Temple, being one of the first settlers in that 
town. 



History of Farmington — Chapter 6. 41 



CHAPTER VI. 

Settlers and Settlements — Produce. 

David Wentworth, Hugh Cox, Joseph Riant, 
Adin Briggs and Benjamin Handy settled about 
the same time on the front lots on the west side of 
the river. Mr. Cox put up the first framed house in the 
upper part of the town, soon after that time. He leav- 
ing the place soon after, it remained unfinished for a few 
years, after which it was fitted up by Isaac Powers who 
made the first permanent settlement on the lot now own- 
ed by Samuel York and others. 

Ezekiel Porter and Gershom Collier were the first 
two who settled on what is called Porter's-Hill. Having 
previously made a small beginning on the farm now own- 
ed by Rial Gleason, he removed from Augusta, about 
1 790; and Mr. Collier settled the year following on the 
same tract, and afterwards on the farm now owned by 
William Tuck. Zebulon True commenced immediately 
after, still farther north, and Jabez Gay on the farm on 
which he now lives, to the south. 

Col. Porter was a native of Groton Mass. He set- 
tled at Augusta in early life and went into mercantile bu- 
siness, in which he failed. After his removal to Farm- 
ington he entered largely into the business of farming, 
which he carried on, perhaps on a larger scale than any 
other man has ever done in this section of the state, es- 
pecially the business of clearing land. He entered into 
trade in 1803, first at his residence and afterwards at 
the Starling-Village. He traded largely, for a new place, 
for some years. At the organization of the militia he was 
chosen captain and soon after was promoted to the com- 

F 



42 Settlers and Settlements. 

maiid of the regiment. He was twice chosen represen- 
tative to the General-Court of Massachusetts, from this 
town, and he served several years as one of the select- 
men of the town. He left this state and went to New- 
York, and settled near the city, in 1812 or 1813; where 
he died some years since. 

Joseph Battle made the first beginning in what is cal- 
led the Holly-Neighborhood, near where Thomas Wen- 
dell now lives, about 1790 or 1791. He erected the 
first framed barn about 1793. He died about 1795. 

William Allen, from Martha's-Vineyard, settled imme- 
diately after Mr. Battle, in the same neighborhood, on 
what is called the Allen-Place, and was soon followed 
by John Holly 1st, Hugh Stewart and Jonathan Butler, 
from the same place. Thomas Wendell Esq. settled on 
the farm on which he now lives, about 1794. Capt. Al- 
len subsequently removed to what is now Industry, then 
Plymouth-Patent. He was one of the first settlers in 
that place. James Rowings settled still further back at a 
subsequent period. Mr. Wendell is the only survivor of 
the first settlers. 

Peter Norton, from Edgartown, Martha's-Vineyard, 
made the first beginning on the farm now owned by Jo 
seph Titcomb, on the Industry road, in 1791. He put up 
a log-house and moved into it in the fall of that year — 
his being the first family on that road. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Betsey Beetle, died the winter follow- 
ing. He soon after settled in New-Po'ftland, where he 
died. 

Joseph Fairbanks, from Winthrop, made the first chop- 
ping on the farm now owned by James Norton, in Jurie 
1792, and Abram Smith, from Martha's-Vineyard, corri- 
menced on the Backus-Farm, now owned and improved 
by Capt. Wm. Cothren, the same season; but Mr. Smith 



Settlers and Settlements. 43 

never made a permanent settlement, having been killed 
at sea, soon after, by a fall from the mast-head. Col. 
Fairbanks continued to make improvements, put up the 
present buildings, and set out the first orchard in town. 
He subsequently sold to Timothy Smith, when he remov- 
ed to the Eaton-Farm, and from there to the upper part 
of the town, where he built the mills known as Fair- 
bank's-Mills, and entered into trade and farming 
in connection with his mill, and continued to do a large 
amount of business till near his death. He was killed 
by a fall from his wagon, Sept. 12, 1831. 

Col. Fairbanks was a useful and enterprising citizen, 
held an office in the militia for some fifteen years, was 
for some time one of the selectmen of the town, and he 
likewise represented the town in the General-Court of 
Massachusetts in 1819; and, in 1823 and 1824 he 
was chosen senator from the Kennebec senatorial district 
to the legislature of this state. 

Zacheus Mayhew made the first beginning on the 
farm now owned by Abraham Johnson, in 1793, and Ru- 
fus Allen on the farm now owned by Dennis Allen, in 
1794, and Peter Norton, about the same time, on the 
north part of the same lot. John Tufts settled on the 
old Backus-Farm a short time previous, and Isaac Per- 
kins and Otis Foster on the farm now owned by Uzziel 
Weeks and others. Mr. Perkins soon removed to the ri- 
ver, at the upper part of the town. It is to him and 
the before named Rufus Allen that we are mostly in- 
debted for our first and early start in orcharding. They 
furnished most of the trees in town from nurseries of 
their own planting. In 1790 or 1791 many of the first 
settlers in the middle and upper sections of the town 
were disposed to sell and go back to still newer settle- 
ments. Others came in, among whom were Benjamin 



44 Settlers and Settlements — Produce. 

Butler, Elvaton Parker, Peter West, Elijah Butler, and 
Abiatha Green. 

During this period most of the business was done by 
exchange of articles. Corn and grain at first, and af- 
terwards neat stock were the staple commodities produc- 
ed by the farmers, and most of the paper taken was for 
specific articles of this character, at a stated market 
or cash price, as might be agreed upon. In 1791 Mr. 
Brown received a silver dollar, (silver being the only mo- 
ney then in circulation,) in payment for the labor of him- 
self and team for a day, which he observed was the 
first dollar he had received for the ten years he had liv- 
ed in the place. At this period considerable quantities 
of corn and grain were hauled to Hallowell, the nearest 
market, and exchanged for such commodities as were 
needed by the inhabitants, a trade which continued for 
many years, while the new lands were being cleared, — 
since which grass-seed, beef, store-cattle, sheep and 
wool have become our chief articles of export. The po- 
tato crop has almost invariably been abundant, until af- 
fected by the rot the last year, but the situation is too 
far in the interior to afford a profit by transportation to 
market. Should the potato-rot cease, however, it is 
thought they will afford a profit to the producer by be- 
ing manufactured into starch. 

From the sugar-maple considerable quantities of sugar 
and molasses have been produced, and were sufficient 
attention paid to the subject a liberal supply might be 
made for many of the inhabitants and in many in- 
stances a surplus might be furnished. 

In 1791, being ten years from the first settlement, 
there were about 85 families in the town. 



History of Farmirigton — Chap. 1. 45 



CHAPTER VII. 

The Township falls without the limits of Plymouth Claim — Petition 
of Inhabitants — Resolve — Act of Incorporation. 

Previous to the winter session of the General-Court of 
Massachusetts, for 1790, the boundary line between the 
Plvmonth Company and the state lands had been set- 
tled by an agreement that the boundary of the former 
should begin at the mouth of the Wesserunset-Stream, 
which empties into the Kennebec just below Skowhegan 
Falls, in Milburn, running from thence due north, three 
miles, thence west, twenty miles, thence southerly to 
agree with the courses of the Kennebec. A survey hav- 
ing been taken by Samuel Titcomb, Esq., it was found 
that this town would fall without the Plymouth Claim. 

A meeting of the inhabitants was held at the house of 
Samuel Butteriield for the purpose of petitioning the Ge- 
neral-Court, to obtain a title to their land. It was 
agreed to petition jointly, that the Col burn associates who 
had settled on settler's lots should be used as they were 
to have been used under the Plymouth Company, and 
that the settlers on the proprietor's lots should be used as 
other settlers were on state lands. 

Samuel Butterfield and Benj. Whittier were chosen 
agents on the part of the proprietors of the settler's lots, 
and Francis Tufts on the part of the settlers on the lots 
reserved for the proprietors of the Kennebec-Purchase, 
agreeably to the arrangement made with them by Reu- 
ben Colburn and his Associates. 

This committee attended the General-Court at the 
winter session of 1790^ and obtained the following Re- 



46 Resolve. 

solve in favor of the inhabitants, and granting the resi- 
due of the unsettled lands to Dummer Sewall, Francis 
Tufts and Samuel Butterfield. 

^^Commonwealth of Massachusetts.' 

"In Senate, February 4th, 1790. 

"Whereas, the proprietors of the Kennebec-Purchase, 
by their committee on the fourth day of October 1779, 
under the apprehension that the tract now called the 
Sandy-River Lower Township, belonged to said propri- 
etors, did enter into an agreement or contract respecting 
the land contained in said township, with Reuben Col- 
burn and his associates, wherein the said associates on 
their part agreed to survey and lay out said township, 
divide the same into lots, mark the lots for settlers with 
the letter S., and the lots to be reserved for said pro- 
prietojs with the letter P., and return a plan thereof to 
the clerk of said proprietors, and within a certain time 
to settle said township, make improvements therein, clear 
roads &:c.: and in consideration thereof the said com- 
mittee, in behalf of said proprietors, on their part agreed 
that the said Reuben Colburn and his Associates, should 
hold all the lots in said township, marked with the let- 
ter S., in the said plan returned, a duplicate whereof 
accompanies this resolve. 

"And whereas it appears to this court, that said Reu- 
ben and his Associates have complied with the said 
agreement, on their part, and would have been entitled 
to the several lots in said township marked with the let- 
ter S., if the said township had really belonged to said 
proprietors. But whereas it now appears that the lands 
in said township are the property of this commonwealth, 
and inasmuch as considerable advantage has resulted to 
said commonwealth from the settlement of said township 



Resolve. 47 

by said associates: and in order that said associates may 
not be disturbed in the possession of their settlements, 

"Therefore, Resolved, That there be, and hereby is, 
granted and confirmed unto the said Reuben and his As- 
sociates aforesaid, their heirs and assigns, all the lots in 
said plan marked with the letter S., together with the 
Mill-Lot in said township, so called, as tenants in com- 
mon, excepting such lots as have already been drawn to 
the associates, which shall be held in severalty by each 
associate, his heirs and assigns accordingly. 

"And it is further Resolved, that there be, and hereby 
is, ii:rantcd and confirmed to Dummer Sewall, of Bath, 
Esq., Francis Tufts and Samuel Butterfield, of Sandy- 
River, aforesaid, yeomen, their heirs and assigns, all the 
rest and residue of said township, on the following con- 
ditions, and with the following reservations, viz. — That 
the said Dummer, Francis and Samuel shall quit the set- 
tlers hereafter named, who settled in said township be- 
fore the first day of January, 1784, viz. Benjamin Weath- 
ren, William Gould, Reuben Lowell, Jonathan Knowlton, 
William Gower, John Austin, Simeon Russ, John Hus- 
ton, Enoch Craig, Joseph Sylvester, Joseph Holland, 
Ebenezer Sweet, Abram Page, William White, Samuel 
Keen, Lydia Blackstone, Stephen Titcomb, Robert Gow- 
er, and Francis Tufts, by granting to each of them to hold 
in fee one hundred acres of land, to be so laid out as will 
best include his or her improvements and be least injuri- 
ous to the adjoining lands, upon the receipt of 30 shil- 
lings from such settler, to be paid by each within nine 
months from this date. And also shall quit the settlers 
hereafter named, who settled in said township after the 
first day of January, 1784, viz. — Josiah Blake, Samuel 
Ames, Samuel Briggs, Joseph Riant, Hugh Cox, David 
Wentworth, Joseph Bradford, Benjamin Handy, Isaac 



48 Resolve. 

Powers, Abram Page, Silas Gould, Samuel Chandler, 
Ephraim Cowan, Noah Billington, Susannah Davenport, 
Isaac Teague, Abram Smith, Joseph Ralph, and Oliver 
Bailey, by granting to each of them to hold in fee, one 
hundred acres of land, to be so laid out as will best in- 
clude his or her improvements, and be least injurious to 
the adjoining lands, upon the receipt of six pounds from 
each settler, to be paid within nine months from this 
date. Reserving, however, four lots of three hundred 
and twenty acres each, for public uses, viz. — ojie for 
the first settled minister, one for the use of the ministry, 
one for the use of schools in said township, and one for 
the future appropriation of the General-Court, to be laid 
out near the center of said township, and to average in 
goodness with the other lots therein; and on condition 
that the said Dummer Sewall, Francis Tufts, and Samu- 
el Butteriield shall pay or give sufficient security to pay 
to the committee on the subject of unappropriated lands 
in the counties of York, Cumberland and Lincoln, or 
to their successors in office, for the use of the common- 
wealth, the sum of four hunched pounds^ in specie, 
within the space of one year from the time of passing 
this resolve, which committee upon the receipt of said 
sum of four hundred pounds, or sufficient security there- 
for, are hereby empowered to make and execute a good 
and lawful deed to the said Dummer, Francis and Sam- 
uel, their heirs and assigns, of the land granted to them 
in this Resolve, on the conditions, and with the reserva- 
tions therein contained. ^ 

"Sent down for concurrence. 

Thomas Daws, Pres't pro tern. 

*'In the House of Representatives, February 4th, 1790. 

"Read and concurred. "David Cobb, Speaker. 

"A true copy, Attest, John Avery, Jun., Sec'y." 



Act of Incorporation. 49 

The aforesaid Sewall, Tufts and Butterfield gave se- 
curity to the satisfaction of the Committee and re- 
ceived a deed before they returned home. 

Although the purchase of the town was not entirely 
to the satisfaction of the inhabitants, yet they complied 
with the provisions of the resolve and received titles to 
their lands agreeably to the provisions therein specified. 

From this time till 1794, when the town was incor- 
porated, they had no particular mode of transacting bu- 
siness. They were never organized as a plantation, but 
proceeded in regard to roads, schools &c. as individuals 
were disposed to associate. 

In the latter part of 1793, the inhabitants, at a meet- 
ing held for that purpose, agreed to petition to be in- 
corporated agreeably to the original survey of the town, 
and Supply Belcher Esq. was agreed upon to attend 
the General Court at its next session, with the petition, 
which was signed by most of the inhabitants. He ac- 
cordingly attended, and obtained an act of incorpora- 
tion, which was signed by Samuel Adams, then Lieut. 
Governor and acting Governor of Massachusetts, on the 
first day of February, 1794, incorporating the Plantation 
of Sandy-River, with the inhabitants thereof, into a town 
by the name of Farmington, (which name was given 
to the town by Col. Porter, by the consent of the in- 
habitants,) bounded as follows: viz. — 

"Beginning at a maple tree marked, on the easterly 
side of the Sandy-River, and near the same, at the south- 
east corner of said plantation, thence running north 
eight miles and fifty-six rods to a beech tree marked; 
thence west five miles and two hundred rods to a bass 
tree marked. [This tree stands a few feet from the 
original corner made by Mr. North in 1780 for the cor- 
ner of the Plymouth Claim, marked K. 15 M., on a 

G 



50 Boundaries. 

small birch tree, denoting 15 miles from the Kennebec 
River. Stone monuments have since been erected at 
the several corners and angles of the town, and in most 
cases on the roads.] — Thence south two miles, thence 
south thirteen degrees east three miles,* thence south 
thirty-five degrees east two miles one hundred and four- 
teen rods to a hemlock tree marked, thence north sixty- 
seven degrees east one mile one hundred and ninety 
rods to the junction of the Little-Norridgewock with the 
Wilson-Stream to a birch tree marked^ K. 15 M. 1780, 
thence north forty-nine degrees east one mile and ninety 
rods to the Sandy-River — [The last course has been so 
altered as to make the Wilson-Stream the line, which 
varies but little from the former course] — thence down 
the Sandy-River to the first mentioned bound — estimat- 
ed to contain 27,000 acres." 

By the act of incorporation William Reed Esq. ofMid- 
dletown (now Strong) was authorized to call the first 
meeting of the inhabitants for the choice of such town 
officers as towns are required to choose in the month of 
March or April annually, by directing a warrant to some 
one of the principal inhabitants of the plantation for 
that purpose. 

On the 15th day of March a warrant was issued by 
said Reed to Moses Starling Esq., requiring him to noti- 
fy said inhabitants to meet at the dwelling-house of 
Thomas Flint, (now Wm. Marvel's) in said town, on 
Monday the 7th day of April, 1794, at 10 o'clock, A. M., 
for the choice of town, county and state officers. The 
meeting was organized by the choice of Solomon Adams 
for Moderator, and Supply Belcher for Town-Clerk. Pe- 
ter Corbett, Ezekiel Porter and Enoch Craig were chos- 
en Selectmen; Moses Starling, Treasurer, and Benjamin 
Whittier, Constable and Collector. 



Representatives. 51 

The town was represented for the first time in 1798 
by Supply Belcher Esq., in 1799 by Col. Ezekiel Porter, 
and in 1800 by Stephen Titcomb Esq. 

In 1809, the town being entitled to two representa- 
tives. Supply Belcher Esq. and Nathan Cutler Esq. were 
elected to that office. Joseph Fairbanks and Josiah 
Prescott represented the town in the Convention which 
met at Brunswick in 1816 for the purpose of forming 
a Constitution, had the requisite number of votes been 
given in favor of separation from Massachusetts proper. 

Nathan Cutler and Jabez Gay were elected delegates 
to the Convention which met at Portland on the 2nd 
Monday in October, 1819 for the purpose of forming a 
Constitution for the State of Maine. 

In 1820 Jabez Gay, represented the town in the first 
legislature of this state. 



CHAPTER VIII. 
ROADS AND MAILS. 



The first county-road was laid out from Hallowell, 
through Chesterville, to the old Fordway, just above the 
Center-Bridge, and afterwards continued on the west side 
of the river to Strong. The county-road was laid out on 
the east side of the river, by Dr. Hubbard and others, 
in 1793. It was located near the intervale and some 
parts of the location were altered by the town before it 
was opened. Subsequently the town has altered the lo- 
cation of other parts of the route, but the whole has been 
since established by the County-Commissioners, and the 



52 Roads and Mails. 

road has been continued across the Fairbanks-Bridge. 
The principal town roads were laid out and establish- 
ed in 1794 and 1795. Others have since been laid out 
as occasion required. The Temple road was first laid 
out by the town in 1802, and afterwards established as 
a county-road. Various alterations have been made in 
the old ones, and several new county-roads have been 
made from time to time as circumstances seemed to re- 
quire, the most of which have proved to be advantageous. 

The mail was first brought from Hallowell to Farming- 
ton about 1793, by Zacheus Mayhew. Moses Starling 
was appointed the first Post-Master. A Mr. Willis 
had brought newspapers &c. a short time previous. The 
mail was carried on horse-back till 1 829 when the means 
of conveyance was increased, by a contract with Moses 
Hanscom, to a two-horse-team. By this contract the 
mail was to be carried under cover, and continued twice 
a week till 1841. In 1841 the establishment was in- 
creased to a four-horse-team with post-coaches to Farm- 
ington, and from thence to Phillips with two horses. 
This line is now owned by F. V. Stewart, who employs 
some twenty-four horses, and it is one of the best ma- 
naged routes in the state. 

The mail route from Farmington direct to Portland was 
established about 1 830 — was purchased in 1 834 by F. V. 
Stewart, and, in 1838, passed into the hands of Thom- 
as Beede, the present owner. This employs a two-horse 
team to Minot where it connects with the Hallowell and 
Augusta line. This furnishes a quick and expeditious 
conveyance west, by land, and is well managed. Be- 
side those already mentioned there is a cross mail, car- 
ried by one horse, passing from Anson, through Farming- 
ton to Wilton. 



History of Farmington — Chapter 9. 65 

CHAPTER IX. 
MILLS. 

The first mill, as has been stated, was built by Col- 
burn &L Pullen, where the Titcomb Mills now stand. — 
The saw-mill was set in operation in Nov. 1781, and the 
grist-mill in August 1782. These mills were injured by 
the great freshet in 1785, on which account, and on ac- 
count of the scarcity of water, (the dam being poor as is 
common in new establishments in new countries,) the 
inhabitants suffered greatly for want of the facilities for 
procuring grinding, and were compelled to go to Win- 
throp to mill, a part of the time, for some years, and 
frequently with hand-sleds. To remedy this hardship 
many of them prepared mortars with a spring-pole to 
raise the pestle, by the help of which they made tole- 
rable meal. 

This was the only mill for something like seven or 
eight years. It was rebuilt by Jacob Eaton and Moses 
Starling in 1790, and sometime after again rebuilt by 
Mr. Starling, and more recently by Capt. Davis, and 
again by Butterfield & Witham in 1836. The first run 
of stones that was put into this mill was hauled from 
Winthrop in the winter of 1781. It now has four runs 
of stones, one of them Burr-stones, with a superior cleans- 
er, and the mill does a good business. The saw-mill 
was rebuilt at the same time with the grist-mill, both 
being greatly improved. 

The next mills were built by Francis Tufts, at thie- 
Falls, on the main river, at the lower end of the town, 
about 1788, and about 1790 one half was sold toEbene- 
zer Jones, and the remaining half soon after to Jonathan 



54 Mills. 

Knowlton. Jonathan Russ purchased these mills in 1803. 
The dam having been carried away, he rebuilt it the 
same season, and rebuilt the mills in 1804, These mills 
were burned on the 29th of January, 1813, and rebuilt 
by John and Henry Russ immediately after. They were 
carried away by the great freshet in October 1820, and 
again rebuilt by the same individuals. These mills once 
suffered some embarrassment for the want of water, oc- 
casioned by the owners not having the control of the 
opposite bank, which has been remedied by the erection 
of mills on the Chesterville side. This water privilege 
would be one of the best in the vicinity were it not for 
great risk in freshets, occasioned by the water being 
confined to a narrow channel. 

Ebenezer Jones built a saw-mill and a grist-mill at 
the foot of these falls, about 1802. The grist-mill was 
carried away by the water in 1814, and the saw-mill in 
1820. These mills were supplied with water by a canal 
from the dam at the head of the fall. 

David Dwinnel erected a shop on the canal which con- 
veyed the water to the lower mills, with a trip hammer, 
which was carried away at the same time with the mill. 

John Russ having purchased the site where the full- 
ing-mill and carding machine formerly stood, erected a 
saw-mill which was burned soon after, and another put 
in operation by Thomas Chase. 

The mills commonly known as Morrison's or Keith's 
Mills were first built by Samuel Sewall, about 1792. 
They were sold by Mr. Sewall about 1796, and passed 
into the hands of Edward Lock. Not much attention 
was bestowed on them for some years after this. The 
saw-mill, on the Farmington side of the Wilson-Stream, 
was rebuilt by John Morrison and others, but is not now 
doing much. The grist-mill is now on the Chesterville 



Mills. 65 

side, the line passing between that and the siw-mill. It 
is owned ])j Mr. Davis, by whom it was rebuilt, and it 
has a liberal business. Here is also a fulling-mill and 
carding-machine, on the Chesterville side, owned by Jo- 
seph Keith, which has been for many years one of the 
best establishments in this section of the state. 

The mills at the upper end of the town, known as 
Fairbanks'-Mills, were first built by Jason D. Cony, in 
1794, and were owned by him and Robert Jones, who 
owned the privilege. They were situated where Mr. 
Townsend's bark-mill now stands, in connection with 
which a saw-mill was afterwards erected. They passed 
into the hands of Hartson Conv about 1797 or 1798, 
who commenced digging the canal where the mills now 
stand. He put up a saw-mill frame, near where the pre- 
sent saw-mill stands, which was carried away by the 
freshet in June, 1799. 

He sold to John Patterson who fitted them up. In 
the winter of 1801 they were burned> The privilege 
and remains of the mills w^ere purchased by Joseph Fair- 
banks, and the mills rebuilt the same season. Col. 
Fairbanks completed the canal commenced by Mr. Cony, 
and built a grist-mill where the present one stands, in 
1807, and afterwards the saw-mill at the same place. 
May 14th, 1814, the dam at this place was mostly carri- 
ed away by the freshet, which was attended with co\isi- 
derable loss to the OAvner, in the mills, as well as in his 
store, which was connected at that time. In 1820 the 
mills were rebuilt by Col. Fairbanks, and greatly improv- 
ed. At this time he introduced a cleanser, w^hich was 
the first put in operation in this vicinity. 

These mills are now owned by Hiram Belcher and 
Luther Townsend, who rebuilt them in 1841, with four 
runs of stones, one of which was shifted, the last season, 



56 Mills, 

for a set of Burr-stones, accompanied with a superior 
bolt. It will now rank with the first in this section of 
the state. Its superior locetion gives it an advantage 
over many others, and helps to compensate for a lack of 
water to which it is exposed in severe drouths. , The 
saw-mill is now owned by Mr. Belcher and does a good 
business. 

In 1 825 a saw-mill was put in operation by Nathaniel 
Russell, in the westerly part of the town, on what is 
called the Starling or Davis Mill-Stream. At his death, 
in 1827, it passed into the hands of his son Isaac Rus- 
sell who has run it to good advantage the most of the 
time since. It is now owned by the Mr. Butterfields — 
was taken down the last season, and the dam was car- 
ried away by the freshet in the fall of last year. It is 
expected that it will be rebuilt. 

This mill can be well supplied with various kinds of 
lumber, such as hemlock, spruce and some pine, and with 
various kinds of hard-wood, as is the case with other 
mills in the town. Pine timber is scarce in every sec- 
tion, but the mills at the lower part of the town procure 
a considerable amount of pine timber from Chesterville, 
to which town we are mostly indebted for our pine lum- 
ber. Perhaps this deficiency is more than supplied by 
the superior quality of the soil, which renders the inhabi- 
tants more independent than they could have been ren- 
dered by application to the lumbering business. Per- 
haps it may be said with propriety that there is 
scarcely a lot of land in town that will AOt admit of a 
settlement, or on which a man, with industry and econo- 
my, might not maintain a family and lay up property. 

The first fulling-mill was built by William Allen, 
in 1792 or 1793, on what is called the Allen-Brook, in 
the north-east part of the town. The stream not being 



Mitls. 57 

sufficient to answer his purpose, he removed his works 
to the Falls* on the main River, where he fitted up a 
temporary mill in connection with one at that time 
owned by Jones and Knowlton. Mr. Knowlton soon 
after put up a fulling-mill which was carried on by 
Jeremiah Stinchfield and a Mr. Stanley in 1797 and 8; 
and in 1799 was purchased by Mr. Stinchfield and by 
him rebuilt. It was carried away by the great freshet 
of 1820, with the cloth and a})paratus, and again re- 
built by him, and enlarged and finished in a superior 
style. This was the only establishment of the kind on 
the Sandy River or any of its waters for many years, 
and had an unusual run of business. 

After Mr. Stinchfield's death, in 1824, the business 
declined, various other mills having been erected in al- 
most every direction. It was afterwards purchased by 
John Russ and used for the manufacturing of hat bod- 
ies and at length removed by him to give place to a 
saw-mill. 

The Carding machine at this place was first built by 
Blake and Morrill about 1800. It was purchased by 
John Shaw in 1804 and for some time owned by him 
and his brother Eben. Shaw, in whose hands it was 
once partly burned. It was afterwards purchased by- 
David Morrill. It was carried away by the water, in 
1820 and again rebuilt by Mr. Morrill. He afterwards 
removed the machinery to the Chesterville side of the 
River, where it continues to be run. 

In 1810 a fulling-mill was put in operation on the 
Fairbank's mill Stream, by Enoch Wood and Luke 
Perkins of Winthrop, which was, in connection with a 
carding-machine, owned by John and Eben. Shaw of 
this town. They had a good run of business for some 
years, and passed through various hands, when the 

H 



58 History of Farmington — Chap. 10* 

building became decayed. They were nevef rebuilt. 
Samuel Emery carried on the fulling-mill and Daniel 
Davis the carding-machine the most of the time. 



CHAPTER X. 
MEETING HOUSES. 

The first meeting house was built at the Falls by 
the Methodist society about 1800, the upper story was 
never finished. Jonathan Knowlton and Stephen Tit- 
comb were among those who took the most active part 
in the erection of the house. It was suffered to zo to 
decay and by degrees became useless, it has recently 
been taken down. 

The new meeting house at this place was raised in 
1826 and finished the year following, it is owned by 
the different religious societies, is free to all under cer- 
tain regulations, viz; that no religious society shall be 
excluded,* but any one may occupy it by posting up a 
written notice on the door of said house at any time 
within four weeks of the appointment when there is no 
prior appointment. But no one society is to occupy it more 
than one Sabbath in four to the exclusion of others. 

The first meeting house at the centre of the town, 
was raised in June 1803, and finished soon after except 
the gallery pews which were not completed for some 
years. This house was built by a voluntary asso- 
ciation of individuals of different societies who chose Da- 
vid Moors their treasurer. The site on which the house 
stands was given to the society by Mr. John Church 1st 



Meeting Houses. 59 

In 1 802 (except the burying ground for which they paid 
^15.) This site contains two acres of land, embracing the 
Common and Bur)dng-ground and was deeded by said 
Church to Mr. Moors as treasurer of the Society and 
his successors in that Office, July 13th, 1802, the 
house was built by selling the pews to the highest bid- 
ders, who gave their confessions to the Treasurer to be 
paid in assessments to be made by the Treasurer as 
the money should be needed to meet the contracts 
made by the society, which were made by a majority of 
the whole at their meetings. The house and land cost a- 
bout two thirds of what the pews sold for, exclusive of 
the gallery pews, the sale of which paid for finishing 
them. The remaining third was never paid in. 

The Society obtained an act of incorporation, which 
w\is passed February 6, 1822, for the purpose of confirm- 
ing their title and the better management of their con- 
cerns. The steeple to this house was erected in 1 827 by 
voluntary subscription, the porches at each end, with 
which it was originally built, being then removed. The 
house was occupied by the different religious societies in 
town in proportion to their respective interest in the same 
as regulated by the bye-laws of the society for many 
years. In 1838 the several societies having built separate 
houses, ceased to occupy the old one, it now became near- 
ly useless (except for town-meetings for which it has usu- 
aly been occupied) the society anticipating a transfer of 
certain privileges in it to the county of Franklin (which 
was organized at this time,) for county purposes and it 
being doubted by some whether the society had a right to 
apply it to any other purpose than that of a meeting 
house for religious worship, Mr. Church executed a deed 
of quit-claim on the 27th day of February 1 838 to the So- 
ciety of the whole site for public buildings, while it 



60 Meeting- Houses. 

might be used for a Court-House, Town, or Meeting 
House, the Common on the west side of the road to re- 
main and be used as a common, and the burying ground 
to remain lor the same purpose to which it had been ap- 
propriated, in consideration of which deed, and Mr. 
Church's former liberality the society paid his widow two 
hundred dollars, (he having deceased) on the 27th day of 
June 1839, the Society deeded to the inhabitants of the 
county of Franklin, the aforesaid house, with the site on 
which it stands extending from tha road to the burying 
ground, reserving a pass way through the same to the bu- 
rying ground, and the use of the lower floor for town or 
other meetings while the present house may remain, but 
the county to have the right to fit up and improve the up- 
per story for a Court-House at their discretion, or 
to take down the present house and rebuild at 
their pleasure, their title to cease whenever a Court-House 
shall be built on any other site. 

In the fall of 1830 a number of individuals were organ- 
ized into a society for the purpose of building a meeting 
house to accommodate the north and westerly part of the 
town known as the Farmington north Meeting-House So- 
ciety, and the season follow^ing built what is more com- 
monly called the brick Meeting-House, near the upper 
bridge at an expense of about ^1400, which was defray- 
ed by the sale of the pews, being 40 by 50 and contain- 
ing 62 pews, and singing gallery. 

By the constitution of this Society, the different relig- 
ious societies owning, have a right to occupy in propor- 
tion to the number of pews by them respectively owned, 
the house was mostly built by the Methodist society who 
have supplied preaching as far as it has been occcupied. 
The Freewill Baptists who owui the residue, having built a 
house at the center village, soon after the erection of this. 



Meeting- Houses. 61 

where the society is much better convened. The Meth- 
odist society having since become divided the house is now 
occupied alternately by the Episcopal and Wesleyan 
Methodists. 

Tlie Freewill Baptist Meeting-House at the center 
village was built in 1835, at an expense of ^1250 in- 
cluding the site, which was defrayed by the sale of the 
pews. It is built of brick in the present style of building, 
36 bv 43 and contains 48 pews. 

The Baptist Meeting-House is situated at the Center 
Village, was commenced in 1835, and completed the fol- 
lowing season. It is also of brick 42 1-2 by 68 contains 
62 pews with a vestry on the same floor which serves as an 
entry to the body of the house and to communicate with 
the gallery, which is very pleasant, the building being 
of an extra height. It is supplied with an organ at a cost 
of ;^250. 

The structure of the house is good; it is furnished with a 
belfry, but no bell; it cost about ^5000 which expense 
was defrayed by the sale of the pews except $600 which 
was appropriated from the funds of the society, and perhaps 
^200 by voluntary subscription or donation. It has a 
commanding prospect, and with the academy, adds much 
to the appearance of the village, being on the same emi- 
nence. 

The Congregational House was erected in 1836, near 
the lower part of the village. This is also of brick, 42 
feet by 54, a very neat and convenient house, but small 
for the congregation that usually attends. Its original 
cost, including the lot, was about ^3000 dollars, which 
was mostly paid from the sale of the pews. It has a bel- 
fry and is furnished with a bell, the expense of which 
was met by voluntary subscription in which Jacob Ab- 
bot Esq. was a liberal donor. 



62 History of Farmington — Chapter 1 1 . 

Arrangements have been made to enlarge this house 
the present season by an addition of 15 feet, which 
will add 20 pews, making 76 in the whole, at an ex- 
pense of eight hundred dollars, two hundred of which 
will go for repairs and alterations in the present house, 
leaving the entire cost of the building at about ^3,500. 
This house is furnished with a number of sheds for the 
reception of carriages. 



CHAPTER XL 
ACADEMY. 



Farmington Academy was incorporated Feburarj, 13, 
1807. The following persons constituted the board of 
trustees by the Charter. Dea. Church Brainard, Nathan 
Cutler, Esq, Mr. Thomas Hiscock, Ezekiel Porter Esq, 
Mr. Timothy Smith, Dr. Ebenezer Taylor, Stephen Tit- 
comb Esq., Thomas Wendell Esq., all of Farmington, 
Benjamin Abbot, Esq. of Temple, Ebenezer Eaton Esq. 
of Wilton, Thomas Fillebrown of Hallowell, Dr. Thomas 
Flint of New-Vineyard, John Hovey Esq. of Mount-Ver- 
non, William Read Esq. of Strong, and Rev. Jotham 
Sewall of Chesterville. 

The charter provides that the number of trustees shall 
never be less than nine, nor more than fifteen, five of 
whom at least shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. 
It allows the trustees to hold real estate the income of 
which shall not exceed ten thousand dollars annually, and 
personal estate the income of which shall not exceed three 
thousand dollars annually. 



Academy 63 

The first meeting of the trustees under the charter was 
held April 14, 1807, and organized by the choice of Wil- 
liam Read Esq. as president, Nathan Cutler secretary, 
and Church Brainard treasurer. 

The trustees had no funds except the voluntary sub- 
scriptions of individuals. Relying on these they proceed- 
ed to erect the frame of the present building in the fall 
of 1808, which, in the succeeding three years was so far 
completed that instruction was commenced in it the first 
of January, 1812, by Mr. James Hall, at a salary of 
;^400 for one year. Since this time the school has been 
continued most of the time. 

By a resolve of the legislature of Massachusetts, passed 
February 17, 1812, a grant was made of one half of a 
township of land, six miles square, to the trustees, to be 
selected from any of the unappropriated lands belonging 
to the state; and the land-agent was authorized to lay out 
the same subject to the usual reservations. In 1822 the 
trustees received a conveyance of the south half of town- 
ship No 5, in the 5th Range west of the Bingham Kenne- 
bec Purchase, in the County of Oxford, containing 11,520 
acres subject to a reservation of 480 acres. The credit- 
ors of the institution, by an agreement, took the amount 
of their respective claims in land, in the township, at 
the appraisal of the surveyor, who valued it at 35 cents 
an acre on an average. The residue of the land was 
sold at auction for from 24 to 30 cents an acre. 

The amount added to the funds of the institution by 
the sale of the land was small. The whole amount of 
the funds, at the present time, exclusive of the building 
and lot, is not far from ^1500. 

This institution has suffered considerably from the em- 
barrassed state of its funds, owing to considerable loss 
in the subscription raised for its encouragement, and be- 



64 Academy. 

ing unfortunate in the selection of the land appropriated 
by the state. It is now furnished with an extensive phi- 
losophical apparatus, and retains a very respectable stand- 
ing as a literary institution, for which it is much indebt- 
ed to its superior location, the prudent and economical 
management of the trustees and the superior talent and 
untiring exertion of the preceptor. 

The records do not show the names of all who have 
been employed from time to time as teachers. The fol- 
lowing names and dates appear: — 

James Hall 1812 to 1814 

Otis Briggs 1814 to 1815 

N. G. Howard " 1816 

Joseph Caldwell 1817 to 1818 

Moses S. Moody 1818 to 1819 

. William A. Drew 1820 to 

Nathaniel Green 1823 to 1830 

David Worcester 

M. Upham 

John J. Butler 1837 to 1839 

O. B. Cheney 1839 to 1841 

Alexander H. Abbot 1841 to present time. 

The following statement shows the names of the trus- 
tees, the date of their appointment, when their places 
were vacated, and how they were vacated. 

Church Brainard, by charter in 1807 — 1828 Resigned 

Nathan Cutler ,, ,, 

Thomas Hiscock ,, ,, 

Ezekiel Porter ,, ,, 

Timothy Smith ,, ,, 

Ebenezer Taylor ,, ,, 

Stephen Titcomb ,, ,, 

Thomas Wendell ,, „ 



1814 


Resigned 


1814 


Absence 


1818 


Died 


1808 


Bv vote 


1811 


Resigned 



Academy. 



^5 



Benjamin Abbot ,, 


)? 


1816 


Resigned 


Ebent^zer Eaton ,, 


n 


1838 


Died 


Thomas Fillebrown ,, 


>? 


1821 


Resigned 


Thomas Flint „ 


)» 


1845 


Age 


John Hovey „ 


?) 




Resigned 


William Read „ 


7) 




Died 


Jotham Sevvall „ 


55 


1837 


Resigned 


Joseph S. Smith, appointed 


1808 




Absence 


Thomas Johnson Jr. 


1811 


1828 


By vote 


Oliver Bailey 


1814 




Died 


Josiah Prescott 


1815 






Sylvester Strickland 


1817 




Resigned 


William Gould 


1818 




Died 


Joseph Fairbanks 


1821 




Died 


Isaac Rogers 


1827 


1833 


Resigned 


John Corbett 


1828 


1845 


Resigned 


Isaac Tyler 


1828 






James Butterfield 


1828 


1845 


Resigned 


John Read 


1828 




Died 


Robert Goodenow 


1832 






Asa Abbot 


1832 






John Russ 


1832 




Died 


Charles Morse 


1835 


1845 


Died 


Ebenezer Childs 


1835 






Jacob Abbot 




1845 


Resigned 


Lafayette Perkins 


1845 






Holmes A. Boardman 


J? 


1846 


Died 


Moses Sherburne 


)) 






George Gage 


J5 






William Cothren 


5> 






John L. Cutler 


5> 






Samuel Belcher 


)» 







66 Mr. Abbot fs Sclwoi. 

There is also in the village a family school, for hoys, 
which was established by Rev. Samuel P. Abbott in 1844. 
The situation of the house and grounds is very favorable 
for the health of the pupils, and for their progress in study, 
being quiet and retired, and affording every opportunity 
for healthy recreation. 

The terms are ^150 per year of 46 weeks. This in- 
cludes every charge except for traveling expenses, cloth- 
ing, postage biH, classical books, medical attendance in 
case of sickness; and any incidental expenses, which 
may be incurred at the request or by the permission of 
parents. Pupils are received at any time, and are charg- 
ed in proportion to the time of their connection with the 
school. No deduction is made for absence of less than 
one week. 

Payments are made quarterly and in advance when 
convenient. 

The only regular vacation commences on the first Mon- 
day in May, and continues six weeks. 

Mr. Abbott endeavors to exert over his pupils, the gov- 
ernment of a christian parent, and he expects them to 
be under his entire direction and control, except so far 
as he receives specific directions from those who entrust 
them to his care. The present number of pupils is seven- 
teen. 



History of Farmington — Chap. 12. 67 

CHAPTER XII. 
PUBLIC FUNDS. 

In 1811, agreeably to a petition of the town, Oliver 
Bailey, Elijah Norton, Nathan Cutler and Timothy 
Johnson were incorporated into a body politic, by the 
name of the Trustees of the Farmington Ministerial and 
School Funds, with power to sell and convey the minis- 
terial and school lands belonging to the town and to 
put at use the moneys arising from the sale of the same, 
as soon as might be; the interest arising from the money 
due for the ministerial lands to be annually appropriated 
to the support of the Gospel ministry in said town in 
the same way and manner as the income and profits ot 
said ministerial land would by law be appropriated if this 
law had not been passed. And the interest arising on 
any money due for school lands, to be annually appropri- 
ated for the use of the public free schools in the town, 
it never being in the power of the trustees or town to al- 
ter or alienate the appropriation of the Funds aforesaid. 
This act passed February 5th, 1811. 

At the first meeting of the trustees, Oliver Bailey was 
chosen president of the board, Nathan Cutler Treasurer 
and Timothy Johnson clerk. The board was then filled 
up by the choice of Moses Candler, Jabez Gay and Jes- 
se Gould, making seven in the whole, any four of whom 
were to form a quorum for doing business, agreeably to 
the act of incorporation. 

The whole of said lands have been sold at different 
periods; the total amount of sales amounting to: — 



68 Public Funds. 

Ministerial fund ^1297,88, Interest, 77,87. 
School fund ^1449,25, Interest, 86,95. 

The income arising from the school fund has been anu- 
ally applied to the support of free schools in the town a- 
greeably to the original design of the appropriation made 
by the state. 

In 1824, The land reserved for the first settled minister 
was sold by the board of town officers, agreeably to the 
directions of the Town; an act having been passed by the 
Legislature of this State on the 12th day of February 18- 
24, making them a body corporate for that purpose and 
declaring the lands vested in the inhabitants where trustees 
had not already been appointed, and the lands become 
otherwise vested. 

The lands were sold, and the securities received 
amounted to j$fl368,08 bearing date the loth day of May 
1824, by the provisions of the before named act the In- 
terest accruing from this fund was to be added to the prin- 
cipal annually, and the whole kept at interest for the orig- 
inal purpose. 

This fund was kept at interest and managed according 
to the foregoing regulations until September 10, 1832. 
The interest arising on the former fund raised from the 
sale of the land reserved for the use of the ministry, hav- 
ing beeen divided by the town equally between the differ- 
ent religious societies therein up to the same time, and by 
them appropriated for the support of preaching. 

An act was passed by the Legislature of this State on 
the 11th day of February 1832 authorizing the inhabitants 
of said town to distribute the proceeds of the land reserv- 
ed for the first settled ministers equally among the six fol- 
lowing religious societies in said town, viz. the Congrega- 
tional, Baptist; F. W. Baptist, Methodist, Universalist, 
and Unitarian, but there being some doubts entertained as 



Public Funds. go 

to the constitutionality of the law, it was thought advisa- 
ble to settle a minister by the first Parish which was or- 
ganized on the 10th day of September 1832, at a meeting 
duly called for that purpose, when it was agreed to give 
the Rev. Timothy Johnson a call to become their pastor 
on condition of his giving his consent to an equal distribu- 
tion of the whole of said ministerial fund, exceptins; there- 
from fifty dollars (which he was to retain for his own per- 
sonal benefit,) among the six following religous societies, 
viz, the Congregational, Baptist, F. W. Baptist, Metho- 
dist, Universalist and Unitarians, to be by them received 
and managed at their discretion, and for their individual 
benefit, Mr. Johnson having signified his acceptance, the 
parish passed a vote confirming the sale of the lands, and 
also giving their consent to the foregoing arrangement, 
which was accordingly carried into effect by the proper 
officers and the funds transfered into the hands of aeents 
chosen by the town, in trust, for the aforesaid Societies, 
and by them passed over to the several Societies, and 
by them have been appropriated for their individual bene- 
fit, amounting to ^636,17 to each Society. 



CHAPTER XIII. 
BRIDGES. 

The first bridge across the Sandy-River was built by 
Benj. Butler at the Centre of the town, on a road laid 
on the dividing line between John Church and the Mr. 
Stoyell's being a continuation of the Perham road west 
across the river, thence northerly round the hill to inter- 
sect the county road near where Jedediah Thomas for- 



70 Bridges. 

merly lived, the whole of which has since been 
discontinued. It was begun in 1805 and completed 1808, 
on a contract made by Ezekiel Porter and Timothy John- 
son who were to pay the said Butler ;^1000 on the com- 
pletion of the same; some small part was paid by sub- 
scription; the bridge was damaged by water in 1812, and 
repaired by the town; it was rendered impassible 
by the freshet of 1814; the road on the intervale was 
much damaged, and it was soon after discontinued. 

The second brid2;e was built at the Falls about 1808, 
by voluntary subscription; a part of it was carried away 
by the freshet of 1814, and was repaired by the town. 
It was vv^holly carried away by the great freshet of 1820, 
and again rebuilt the winter following by this town 
and Chesterville, (the latter town builds and keeps in 
repair about one third part of this bridge.) The most 
of this bridge was again carried away, and the part in 
this town rebuilt at the expense of the town by John Russ, 
in 1827, and again by the same person in the winter of 
1828, and again in 1831, at an expense of ^1300, and 
covered. Since that time y^250 only have been expended. 

The third bridge was built in l8ll at the upper part of 
the town (commonly called the Fairbanks Bridge) by- 
subscription, and accepted by "the town in 1813 free of 
any expense, in May 1814 the most of it was carried 
away by the water; it was rebuilt by the town in^ 1815, 
'and was some damaged by the great freshet in October 
1820 and again repaired by the town. In the winter of 
1826 it ^vas rebuilt by John Russ on a warrant for ten 
years for the sum of ^890; it was once partially rebuilt by 
him in the time. It was built with stone abutments and 
covered in IsS^ at an expense of $^1800, and destroyed 
by the ice the winter following, and again built in its pre- 
sent form at an expense of ^600 in 1839, and again re- 



Bridges. 7 1 

huilt in part in 1842, since wliicli time it has undergone 
some repairs. 

The first bridge built where the one now stands at the 
centre of the town, was in 1S18; ;^(479,91 was paid by 
subscription, and $1357,21 bv the town, making the cost 
of it $1837,12. In 1820 it was some damaged by the 
great freshet, and repaired by the town, and again in 
1827 and extended in length; it was rebuilt, 1831, at an 
expense of $^^2 11 7,00, the road from the east abutment 
being filled to the high bank. It fell in 1841, and was 
rebuilt the same year at an expense of |f700. The east 
abutment was injured l)y the November freshet 1845, and 
has since been rebuilt. 

The town has a substantial brick maglzine for the de- 
posite of military stores, which was built in 1817, but is 
now of little use as, by the present laws, the town is not 
tequired to keep such stores on hand. 



*ll^ 



CHAPTER XIV. 
TAN-YARDS. 

The first tan-yard was commenced by Ebenezer Sweet 
about 1785, a few rods south-west of the site on which 
the Congregational Meeting-house now stands, which was 
the first tannery this side of Winthrop. 

Samuel Sewall commenced tanning at the lower end 
of the town soon after Mr. Sweet, and Samuel Pool a- 
bout the same time, near Mr. Sweet on the farm now 
owned Ijy Jacob Abbot Esq. 

Messrs. Baker and Hopkinson constructed a tann ery 



72 Tan-Yards. 

at the yard afterwards owned by Joseph Kiiowlton, in 
1805. Mr. Baker soon after sold out to Mr. Hopkin- 
son and removed to Wilton. Mr. Hopkinson continued 
to carry on the business with success till 1818 when he 
sold to Mr. Knowlton and removed to Ohio. Mr. Knowl- 
ton made considerable improvement, and continued the 
business with apparent success until 1 842, when he fail- 
ed in business and went to Indiana, where he has since 
removed his family. It is now improved by a Mr. Tay- 
lor. 

Elijah Butler built a tannery on the farm now owned 
by James Presson at the upper part of the town about 
the same time. He continued the business for some time; 
it then passed into the hands of his son, Winthrop But- 
ler, who continued the business until near his death, in 
1835, since which time, the buildings have been taken 
away and the yard has become extinct. 

Luther Townsend began the establishment now owned 
by him in the upper section of the town in 1810; the dam 
connected with the bark-mill was carried away by the wa- 
ter in 1827 and his yard much injured. He has since re- 
built it with considerable improvement. He has a bark- 
mill which goes by water. Mr. Townsend has since 
turned his attention to farming, and the tannery is now 
managed by his son, Samuel O. Townsend. 

Joshua Adams commened the tannery formerly owned 
by him at the Center-Village, in 1828 where he did 
considerable business until the present season. He has 
removed to Wilton. 

The yard now owned and improved by Charles Hutch- 
ins was put in opperation by Henry Brooks in about 
1 835, in connection with Apollos Osgood. 



Center Village. 81 

fmitfulness of some of the seasons. Since that time it 
has increased not only in numbers but in wealth and every 
kind of business equal if not superior to any village in 
the state, destitute of water power, and situated so far 
from water communication. 

There are now at this village, 86 dwelling houses; 14 
stores; 4 milliner's shops; 18 mechanic's shops; 5 law 
offices; 1 brick school house; 3 brick meeting houses; ah 
Academy; a Boarding School; Court House; Jail, and a 
fire proof building, containing the several County Offices, 
and Post Office; a tannery; boot and shoe factory, and 3 
saddle and harness makers; 4 blacksmiths; 1 carriage 
and sleigh maker; 2 tin factories; 7 lawyers; 3 physi- 
cians; 2 tailors; 1 printing establishment; 1 provision 
shop; 4 cabinet and chair makers; some 6 or 8 house 
joiners; and a proportionate number of shoemakers and 
other mechanics. 



CHAPTER XIX. 
TOWN OFFICERS. 



The following is a list of town-officers, from the incor- 
poration of the town to the present time. 

1794. Supply Belcher, clerk; Moses Starling, treasurer; 
Peter Corbett, Ezekiel Porter, Enoch Craigj selectmen. 

1795. Solomon Adams, clerk; Moses Starling, trea- 
surer; Peter Corbett, Ezekiel Porter, Enoch Craig, select- 
men. 

1796. Solomon Adams, clerk; Moses Starlin<r, trea- 

K ' ■ "^ 



82 Town Officers. 

surer; Peter Corbett, Jotham Smith, Supply Belcher, se- 
lectmen. 

1797. Solomon Adams, clerk; Moses Starling, treasur- 
er; Peter Corbett, Jotham Smith, Supply Belcher, select- 
men. 

1798. Solomon Adams, clerk; Moses Starling, trea- 
surer; Peter Corbett, Ezekiel Porter, Jotham Smith, se- 
lectmen; Supply Belcher, representative. 

1799. Solomon Adams, clerk; Moses Starling, treasur- 
er; Peter Corbett, Ezekiel Porter, Jotham Smith, select- 
men; Ezekiel Porter, representative. 

1800. Solomon Adams, clerk; Moses Starling, trea- 
surer; Peter ^Corbett, Ezekiel Porter, Jotham Smith, se- 
lectmen; Stephen Titcomb, representative. 

1801. Solomon Adams, clerk; Church Brainard, trea- 
surer; Benj. Whittier, John Holly, Ebenezer Norton, 
selectmen; Jonathan Cushman, Thomas Hiscock, Thomas 
Wendell, assessors; Supply Belcher, representative. 

1802. Henry Vassal Chamberlain, clerk; Church Brai- 
nard, treasurer; Solomon Adams, Jonathan Cushman, 
Thomas Hiscock, selectmen; (Voted not to send a repre- 
sentative.) 

1803. Church Brainard, clerk; Church Brainard, 
treasurer; Reuben Lowell, Enoch Craig, Elijah Norton, 
selectmen; (dismissed the article relative to representa- 
tive.) 

1804. Church Brainard, clerk; John Holly, treasurer; 
Ehjah Norton, John F. Woods, Jabez Gay, selectmen; 
Ebenezer Norton, representative. 

1805. Church Brainard, clerk; Zechariah Norton, 
treasurer; Elijah Norton, John F. Woods, Samuel Lovejoy, 
selectmen; Ezekiel Porter, representative. 

1806. Church Brainard, clerk; Ezekiel Porter, treasu- 



Toivn Officers. ' 83 

rer; John F. Woods, Oliver Bailey, Lemuel Perham, se- 
lectmen: Moses Chandler, representative. 

1807. Clmrcli Brainard, clerk; Solomon Adams, trea- 
surer; Elijah Norton, Oliver Bailey, Thomas Wendell, se- 
lectmen; Zechariah Norton, representative. 

1808. Church Brainard, clerk; Solomon Adams, trea- 
surer; Oliver Bailey, Thomas Wendell, Jeremiah Stinch- 
field, selectmen; Samuel Butterfield, representative.^ 

1809. Church Brainard, clerk; Thomas Hiscock, trea- 
surer; Oliver Bailey, Elijah Norton, Jonathan Russ, se- 
lectmen; Supply Belcher, Nathan Cutler, representatives. 

1810. Church Brainard, clerk; Timothy Johnson, trea- 
surer; Oliver Bailey, Elijah Norton, William Gould, se- 
lectmen; Nathan Cutler, Joseph Norton, representatives. 

1811. Church Brainard, clerk; Nathan Cutler, trea- 
surer; Leonard Merry, Thomas D. Blake, Oliver Bailey, 
seleptmen; Nathan Cutler, Timothy Johnson, representa- 
tives. 

1812. Church Brainard, clerk; Nathan Cutler, trea- 
surer; Leonard Merry, John F. Woods, Jere. Stinchfield, 
selectmen; Leonard Merry, Timothy Johnson, represen- 
tatives. * 

1813. Church Brainard, clerk; Nathan Cutler, treasu- 
rer; Leonard Merry, John F. W^oods, Jere. Stinchfield, se- 
lectmen; Leonard Merry, Asahel Gross, representatives. 

1814. Hiram Belcher, clerk; Nathan Cutler, treasurer; 
Jere. Stinchifield, Job Brooks, Oliver Bailey, selectmen; 
(voted not to send representatives.) 

1815. Hiram Belcher, clerk; Joseph Fairbanks, trea- 
surer; Jeremiah Stinchfield, Job Brooks, Stephen Titcomb, 
selectmen; (voted not to send representatives.) 

1816. Hiram Belcher, clerk; Joseph Fairbanks, trea- 
surer; Jeremiah Stinchfield, Job Brooks, Stephen Titcomb, 
selectmen; (meeting adjourned without day.) 



84 Town Officers. 

1817. Hiram Belcher, clerk; Joseph Fairbanks, trea- 
surer; Joseph Fairbanks, James Butterfield, Jo'tham Smith, 
selectmen; (voted not to send representatives.) 

1818. Hiram Belcher, clerk; Enoch Craig, treasurer; 
Joseph Fairbanks, Thomas Parker, Benj. Butler, select- 
men: (voted not to send representatives.) 

1819. Hiram Belcher, clerk; Enoch Craig, treasurer: 
Joseph Fairbanks, James Butterfield, John Russ, select- 
men: Nathan Cutler, Joseph Fairbanks, representatives. 

1820. Nathan Cutler, clerk: Enoch Craig, treasurer: 
Joseph Fairbanks, James Butterfield, John Russ, select- 
men: Jabez Gay, representative. 

1821. Thomas Parker, clerk: Enoch Craig, treasurer: 
James Butterfield, John Morrison; Joseph Fairbanks, se- 
lectmen: Hiram Belcher, representative. 

1822. Thomas Parker, clerk: Joseph Titcomb, trea- 
surer: John Morrison, Benj. M. Belcher, Thomas Parker, 
selectmen: William Gould, representative. 

1823. Thomas Parker, clerk: Joseph Titcomb, trea- 
surer: Thomas Parker, Benj. M. Belcher, Jere. Stinch- 
field, selectmen: James Butterfield, representative. 

1824. Thomas Parker, clerk: Joseph Titcomb, trea- 
surer: Jeremiah Stinchfield, (deceased March 15,) Benj. 
M. Belcher, (deceased March 15,) Joseph Fairbanks jr., 
Thomas Parker, Nathaniel Woods, selectmen: James But- 
terfield, representative. 

1825. Thomas Parker, clerk: Joseph Titcomb, trea- 
surer: Joseph Fairbanks jr., Thomas Parker, John Russ, 
selectmen: Edward Butler, representative. 

1 826. Thomas Parker, clerk: Joseph Titcomb, trea- 
surer: Joseph Fairbanks jr., Thomas Parker, John Russ, 
selectmen: Edward Butler, representative. 

1827. Thomas Parker, clerk; Joseph^Titcomb, trea- 



Town Officers. 86 

surer; Thomas Parker, John Russ, John Church, select- 
men; Joseph Johnson, refiresentative. 

1828. Thomas Parker, clerk; Joseph Titcomb, trea- 
surer; Thomas Parker, John Russ, John Church jr., se- 
lectmen; Hiram Belcher, representative. 

1829. Timothy Johnson, clerk; Edward Butler, treas- 
urer; John Russ, James Butterfield, Francis Butler, select- 
men; Joseph Johnson, representative. 

1830. Timothy Johnson, clerk; Edward Butler, trea- 
surer; John Russ, James Butterfield, Francis Butler, se- 
lectmen; John Russ, representative. 

1831. Timothy Johnson, clerk; Isaac Tyler, treasur- 
er; James Butterfield, Francis Butler, Samuel Stanley, 
selectmen; Hiram Belcher, representative. 

' 1832. Isaac Tyler, clerk; Moses Butterfield, treasu- 
rer; James Butterfield, Francis Butler, Samuel Stanley, 
selectmen; Francis Butler, representative. 

1833. Isaac Tyler, clerk; Thomas Hunter, tresurer; 
Thomas Parker, Henry Johnson, Isaac Tyler, select- 
men; Isaac Tyler, representative. 

1834. Isaac Tyler, clerk; Thomas Hunter, treasur- 
er; Thomas Parker, Francis Butler, John Russ, select- 
men; Moses Butterfield, representative. 

1 835. Timothy Johnson, clerk; Francis Butler, trea- 
surer; Thomas Parker, Samuel Stanley, James Butter- 
field, selectmen; /oseph Russel, representative, 

1836. Hiram B. Stoyell, clerk; Thomas Hunter, 
, treasurer; Thomas Parker, /oseph Fairbanks, John Mor- 
rison, selectmen; Samuel Stanley, representative. 

1837. Hiram B. Stoyell, clerk; Thomas Hunter, 
treasurer; Thomas Parker, Samuel B. Norton, Benj. 
Sampson, selectmen; /osiah Prescott, representative. 

1838. Samuel Belcher, clerk; Samuel Stanley, trea- 



86 Town Officers. 

surer; John Jevvett, Moses Chandler, Alanson B. Cas- 
well, selectmen; Samuel B. Norton, representative. 

1839. Samuel Belcher, clerk, Samuel Stanley, trea- 
surer; James Butterfield, Joseph Fairbanks, Alanson B- 
Caswell, selectmen; Alanson B. Caswell, representative. 

1840. Samuel Belcher, clerk, Amasa Corbett, trea- 
surer; Alanson B. Caswell, Brilsford Pease, William 
Tufts, selectmen; Samuel Belcher, . representative. 

1841. Zechariah T. Milliken, clerk; Amasa Corbett, 
treasurer; Alanson B. Caswell, .Brilsford Pease, Eliab 
Eaton, selectmen; Moses Chandler, representative. 

1842. Charles E. Johnson, clerk; Alexander Hillman, 
treasurer; Samuel Stanley, Eliab Eaton, Amasa Corbett, 
selectmen; John Je^\^tt, representative. 

1843. Charles E. Johnson, clerk; Alexander Hillman; 
treasurer; Samuel Stanley, Eliab Eaton, Amasa Corbett, 
selectmen; classed, with Temple, not represented in the 
legislature, Nathan Cutler chosen representative April 
29, 1844. ^ 

1844. Albert G. Wheeler, clerk; Samuel Stanley, 
treasurer; Amasa Corbett, Aivan Currier, Moses Chan- 
dler, selectmen; classed with Temple, James A. Dun.smore 
of Temple representative. 

1845. Albert G. Wheeler, clerk,- Peter P. Tufts, trea- 
surer; Moses Chandler, Alvan Currier, Henry Russ, se- 
lectmen; Eliab Eaton of Farmington, representative. 

1846 Albert G. Wheeler, clerk,- Francis G. Butler, 
treasurer, Samuel Stanley; Peteir P. Tufts, Henry Clark, 
selectmen,- Peter R. Tufts, representative. 



Religious Societies. 87 



CHAPTER XX. 
FREEWILL BAPTISTS. 



The valley of the Sandv River, although settled by a 
moral and to some extent a religious community was to a 
great extent for some years after the first settlement com- 
menced, destitute of the means of forming and sustain- 
ing a proper organization for religious worship on the Sab- 
bath. The first preacher who visited the place was the 
Rev. Mr. Emerson, of Georgetown, who by the request of 
Mrs. vStcphen Titcomb made them a visit and preached 
the first sermon in the then almost entire wilderness of the 
Sandy River, in their log house. After this the place was 
visited by the Rev Mr. Little of that part of Wells now 
Kennebunk as a missionary who was followed by some 
others, in the summer of 1794 the Rev. Joseph Thaxter 
from Edgarton Mass. under the patronage of the Mass. 
Missionary Society pretty extensively explored the valley 
of the Sandy River and attended to the distribution of 
books to some of the most destitute of the inhabitants. 
Some few years prior to this Elder Eliphalet Smith, a 
Baptist preacher, from Fayette, attended some few meet- 
ings in the place. 

In the summer of 1792, Elder Edward Lock who had 
proviously been pastor of a large and independent church in 
Loudon and Canterbury N. H. (of the same sentiments of 
Benjamin Randal the founder of the Freewill Baptist con- 
nection) who with most of them joined the Shakers tut 
had subsequently left them, removed to this state and 
settled in what is now Chesterville, established Sabbath 
appointments at the dwellinghouse of Moses Starling Esq. 



88 Religious Societies. 

on the west; and at a barn on the farm now owned by 
deacon John Bailey on the east side of the river. There 
was no particular interest manifest until near the close 
of the year, when Oliver Billings (since Elder Billings) 
made a visit to the family of Mr. J. Everet a relative of his 
on the west side of the river. Mr. Billings had very re- 
cently been brought to the knowledge of the truth in a most 
powerful reformation then in progress in what was then cal- 
led Starling, (now Fayette) such was the change in his de- 
portment, and such the interest and affection with which he 
recommended to others the blessing so undeservedly (to 
use his own expression) bestowed upon him, that it was 
the means in the hands of God of carrying conviction, not 
only to some of the family, but to many in the neighbor- 
hood, who were hopefully brought to a saving knowledge 
of the truth: thus from the faithful yet humble labors of a 
private individual proceeded one of the most extensive revi- 
vals ever witnessed in this section of the state. Mr. Billings 
soon after became an efficient minister of the baptist 
church. 

From the commencement, the revival continued to in- 
crease. Elder Lock proceeded to baptize a number not long 
after, among whom was Josiah Everet*, Reuben Turner, 
John F. Woods and Joseph Sylvester with their wives and 
Francis Tufts, Joseph Holland, Abigail Bradford and some 
others, who proceeded to unite in church fellowship, togeth- 
er with Elder Lock, on the 29th day of March 1793, El- 
der Lock taking the particular oversight of the church, 
Francis Tufts and John F. Woods were appointed ruling 
elders, (this office has since been discontinued in the 
connection,) Joseph Sylvester deacon, and Joseph Hol- 
land clerk. In September following Eldei Benjamin 

*Mr. Everet is the only individiuil now living, wlio was embodied in liie 
Frecwi'l Baptist Church in this toAvn at its connncncenicrU. 



Religious Societies. 89 

Randal of New-Durham, N.H., who was, under God, the 
founder of the first Freewill Baptist Church in New 
Hampshire, and afterwards in Maine, after attending the 
yearly meeting at Edgecomb and visiting those churches 
already formed, traveled up the Sandy River, who with 
others, as a committee from the yearly meeting, after a 
proper examination proceeded to extend the right hand 
of fellowship to the church already formed, as a sister 
church in the Freewill Baptist denomination, on the 23d 
day of September 1793, who were then constituted what 
was then called a monthly meeting, which was represen- 
ted for the first time, in the yearly meeting held at Gor- 
ham on the 25th of October following. This was the 
first church formed in this state east of Gorham or 
north of Woolwich and Edgecomb. From this beginning 
have proceeded the most of the Kennebec and Penobscot 
yearly meetings, now numbering 15 yearly meet- 
ings, 255 churches, 176 ordained and 37 licensed 
preachers, and 12147 communicants. At this time 
the revival continued on the increase, additions were made 
to the church in this place, and branches formed at 
West-Pond (now Belgrade) and Seven-Mile Brook (now 
Embden and Anson,) which afterwards became sepa- 
rate churches. 

In September, 1794, Elder Randal in company with El- 
der John Buzzel again visited the Sandy-River, embo- 
died a church at the Upper-Town (now Phillips) which 
constituted a separate monthly meeting: on their return, 
Elder Randal preached on the Sabbath, being the 28th, at 
Deacon Tufts', at the lower part of the town, and attend- 
ed to the administration of the Lord's Supper, supposed 
to be the first time that the ordinance was administer- 

E 



90 Religious Societies. 

ed in the town. Elder Buzzel preached the same day at 
Starks, where a reformation was then in progress. 

At the yearly meeting held on the 6th of this month at 
Edgecomb, the Edgecomb and Farmington quarterly meet- 
ings were both established, and their respective bounds de- 
fined, that of Farmington to comprise all the churches be- 
longing to the connection north of Edgecomb and* east of 
the Androscoggin River, except Lewiston, Edgecomb, 
all the sea-shore east of Brunswick, and Lewiston. 

Elder Jesse Lee was appointed by the New-England 
conference to travel in the province of Maine for the con- 
ference year of 1793, preached in this town for the 
first tim^ on the 15th of October of that year. At the 
succeeding conference in 1794 two preachers were ap- 
pointed to travel on the circuit laid out by him in the 
year previous; and who arrived here in the latter part 
of the year and took part in the revival then in pro- 
gress, and who, with Samuel Sewall, then living in the 
south part of the town, and who had established so,cie- 
ty meetings in the place, — rendered essential service in 
the establishment of such a Christian influence as has 
never been eflkced, and laid the foundation for the es- 
tablishment of several churches of different denomina- 
tions, which have since been embodied. 

The revival ■ which had been in progress nearly two 
years, was still on the increase, and had extended into 
almost every section of the country then settled, in 
some instances interesting almost the entire population. 

Additions continued to be made to the church which 
now numbered something near forty in all. Besides 
those already named may be reckoned Joseph, Elisha, 
Moses, Sarah, Huldah ancJ Polly Bradford, David Went- 
worth and wife. Isaac Powers and wife. Dollv Craig, 



Religions Societies. 91 

Joseph Riant and wife, Elisha Gay, John Tufts, and 
Pruda Parker, of this town, and Isaac, Ebenezer and 
Eliphalet Brown, Job and Eliphalet Hardy, of Wilton, 
in which direction the church" continued to increase. 

In 1796, Joseph Sylvester, having left, Isaac Brown 
and Elisha Gay were chosen deacons. They had tak- 
en early means to provide funds, which it was agreed 
should be raised upon principles of equality, not only 
for the maintenance of the ministry but to afford relief 
to such of the church as were in needy or distressing 
circumstances. 

They took the New-Testament as their only rule of 
faith and practice, and were well agreed in its appli- 
cation to the churoh of Christ. 

In 1798 the church had become so extended in ter- 
ritory as to render it necessary to establish three Sab- 
bath appointments and church conferences, which were 
alternately attended, at Isaac Brown's in Wilton, at J. 
F. Woods, and David Wentworth's in Farmington, 
for some years, which appointments were generally well 
attended by the members from each section, who ge- 
nerally came through the woods on foot, by spotted 
lines at first, and afterwards by a poor road. 

Elder Lock who had continued to take the oversight 
of the church up to near this time, although possessed 
of more than ordinary mind, and talent, and apparent- 
ly zealous in the cause of truth, never perhaps pos- 
sessed that disinterested devotedness to the cause of 
the Redeemer necessary in a minister of the gospel, to 
be truly useful in th(^ building up of the church of God, 
as he soon attempted to create a schism in the church- 
es by introducing a plan for forming a community of 
Christians, which were to have all things in common, 



92 Religious Societies. 

their property to be thrown into one common stock, 
with himself to control, if not to possess the whole. 

He partially succeeded in drawing up a platform, 
and in the drawing off of a few, but when his plan 
was more fully understood, it resulted in an entire fail- 
ure, and he soon lost the confidence of the Christian 
public by a course of life which not only lessened his 
influence as a preacher of the gospel, but ended in the 
prostration of his moral character. His connection with 
the church was dissolved about 1800, and never after 
renewed. He died in Embden, in 1824, aged 82. 

While these troubles were 'in progress the church 
established society meetings and regularly sustained 
them. Ebenezer Brown, a man of deep piety, and 
who possessed an acceptable gift, rendered essential 
service in sustaining public worship, and, during this 
period, they were sometimes visited by the Western El- 
ders, and they had preaching occasionally from other 
sources. 

Ebenezer Scales was ordained in October, 1804, and 
Ebenezer Brown in May following, both members of 
this church. The practice of preaching at this period 
had more of an itinerant character than at present, and 
produced a more general circulation of public gifts. 

The church having increased very considerably, and 
embracing this town and Wilton, it was divided in 
1807, when separate Sabbath appointments and church 
conferences were established in each town. 

Elder Beniah Pratt was ordained on the 17th of Oct., 
1 807, who, with Elder Timothy Johnson, took the par- 
ticular oversight of the church for * some time. Isaac 
Perkins and Jedediah Thomas acted as deacons for the 
time being, and in 1814 Elisha Gay and Isaac Perkins 



I 



Religions Societies. 93. 

were set apart to that office, aod ia 1818 John Cor- 
bett was appointed and Isaac Perkins was continued, 
and after Deacon Corbett ceased to officiate, Deacon 
Gav ao:a!n tilled the office, which he continued to fill 
till his death, in 1842, having been a member of the 
church nearly 48 years. His place has been supplied 
by the choice of Benjamin Adams. 

The years 1808 and 1809 were seasons of special 
revival in the church, and additions were received. — 
From this time to 1821 was for the greatest part a 
season of trial and discouragement, and at different pe- 
riods the church suffered considerable diminution both 
from the disorderly walk of its members, and from dif- 
ference of opinion in those who, it is to be hoped, re- 
mained steadfast in their profession; but there were oc- 
casional seasons of revival and some additions. 

The year 1821 was a season of more special revival, 
and the prospects of the church seemed to brighten, 
and additions were made. Elder Pratt having removed, 
the church was supplied with occasional preaching 
from this time till 1834 by Elders S. and E. Hutch- 
ings, H. Chandler, S. Curtis, S. Hathern, and many 
others; Elder Johnson still remaining and taking the 
more particular oversight of the church. 

In 1834 a union protracted meeting, was held com- 
mencing on the 22nd of x4.ugust, which resulted in a 
very extensive revival, when very considerable additions 
were made to the several churches. On the 22nd of 
September an invitation was extended to Elder John 
Chany to preach with them one half of the time and 
to take the oversight of the church, (a previous under- 
standing having been had with Elder Johnson,) which 
invitation was accepted. During this season large ac- 



94 Religious Sorieties. 

cessions were made to the church at the center of the 
town, where, as well as in the lower part of the town, 
the church had for some time been increasing in num- 
bers. For some years the Sabbath appointments and 
conferences had been divided and held alternately at 
the center and the upper parts of the town, but from 
this time the meetings were held, altogether, on the 
Sabbath, at the Center-Village, mostly at the brick 
school-house. 

In the following year, 1835, the society built the 
meeting-house now occupied by them, and Elder Cha- 
ney soon after confined his labors wholly to this church, 
with which he ^-emained till June, 1840, when, at his 
request, he was dismissed, and Elder Dexter Waterman 
took his place, but preached to the church but half the 
time, the remaining half being taken up in Phillips. 
This arrangement continued till the spring of 1843, 
when, at his request, he was dismissed, and was suc- 
ceeded by George W. Bean, who devoted his entire 
labor to this church, from that time till July, 1845, 
He was ordained on the 14th of June, 1843. He was 
succeeded by Isaac Libby, the present occupant, who, 
commenced his labors in May, 1846. 

Since 1834 the church has enjoyed several seasons 
of revival, and received additions, especially in the 
spring of 1843, which commenced in the upper part of 
the town; under the improvement of Rev. Jabez Talbot 
Gay, which soon after extended to the center of the 
town, and resulted in an extensive revival in which all 
the churches shared, and in which considerable addi- 
tions were made to this church. 

The church has suffered considerably, both from re- 
movals and in the death of some of its most efficient 



Religious Societies. 95 



•to 



members. It now numbers 79, but some 25 of that 
number reside out of town, and are so situated as not 
to enjoy the privilege of associating with the church, 
but have not found it convenient, or have not been dis- 
posed to unite with other churches. The whole num- 
ber received has been something over 225. 

About the year 1813 a small church w-as gathered in 
the south-west part of the town, known as the Second 
Freewill-Baptist Church in Earmington, which continu- 
ed for a few^ years, and was then disbanded, a part of 
the members being embodied in the Christian Church, 
in that vicinity, and others uniting with such Freew^ill- 
Baptist churches as afforded local accommodations. 

Another church has since been established at Farm- 
ington-Falls, but as it is mostly made up of members 
in Chesterville, we shall forbear giving a particular de- 
scription of its proceedings. David Morrill a licensed 
preacher, was one of tl^e most active members from its 
commencement to his death, w^hich took place Decem- 
ber 28, 1842. This church was small at the time of 
its organization, and remained so for some time. They 
were favored with a special revival in 1841 and 1842, 
in which Elder Timothy Johnson took a conspicuous 
part, and where he removed his church rclstion, and 
where he has continued his labors the most of the time 
since. This church now number 28, and is now near- 
ly destitute of preaching. 



96 Religious Societies. 



CHAPTER XXI. 
METHODISTS. 



At the New-England Conference held at Lynn, Mass., 
in September, 1793, Jesse Lee, who had been the pio- 
neer of Methodism in New-England, was appointed to 
travel in the then Province of Maine the ensuing year, 
and to form a circuit where he might think best. He 
preached his first sermon at Saco, Septem])er 10th, from 
Acts xiii: 41, 'Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and 
perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which 
you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it 
unto you;' on the 13th of October following, at Hal- 
lowell; and on the 15th at the house of Moses Star- 
ling, Esq., in this town, from Heb. iv: 1, Let us tnere- 
fore fear, k.c. From thence he proceeded to visit near- 
ly all the towns then settled from the Androscoggin to 
the Penobscot River. He formed a circuit extending 
from Hallowell and Monmouth to Sandy River, and on 
his return to the conference in 1794, Philip Wager and 
Thomas Coop were apjuiinted to take charge of the same. 
The first society formed in the Province of Maine was 
at Monmouth, the first of November, 1794; the second 
in Rcadfield, and the third in Farmington, soon after. 
Something over a year prior to this time a revival had 
commenced on the west side of the river, and a Freewill 
Baptist church was formed. The reformation was be- 
coming general, in every section of the country, and the 
new order of people seemed well prepared to assist in 
carrying forward the good begun work. A class was 
first formed on the west side of the River* in the 



Relwions Societies. ' 97 



"ft 



neighborhood of Mr. Gay, consisting of Jothani vSniith 
and wife, Micah Wethern and wife, William Gay, John 
Austin and wife, and some others. Jotham Smith was 
appointed leader, and immediately after another class 
was formed on the east side of the river, in the neigh- 
borhood of Elvaton Parker, who, w4th his wife and 
most of his family, became members, together with 
Mary and Polly Brown, Eleazer Pratt of New-Vine- 
yard, and Jacob Chandler, Nabby Pease, Zilpha Green, 
Sally Gay, Patience Butler, and some others. Here a 
Sabbath appointment was established and continued for 
some years, at first at the dwelling house of Mr. Brown, 
and afterwards at that of Mr. Parker. William Gay 
was appointed leader of this class. It continued for 
some few years, when it became reduced by the death 
of some and the removal of others, when the class was 
dissolved and the remaining; members united with that 
on the west side of the river, which has 'ever continu- 
ed its operations, and perhaps has been one of the most 
substantial and efficient in town. 

The class at Farmington-Falls was formed in 1798. 
Stephen Titcomb, Jonathan Knowlton, with many mem- 
bers of their families, John and Sarah Gower, Natha- 
niel Whittier, Desire Stinchfield, Ruth Whittier, and 
Jesse Ingham were among the first gathered in this 
place. 

At the conference in 1795, Enoch Mudge and Elias 
Hull were stationed on this circuit, which comprised 
four Sabbath appointments, viz. Monmouth, Readfield, 
Farmington, and Livermore, together with weekly ap- 
pointments in most of the towns from Monmouth to 
the upper settlements on Sandy-River. 

During this time a very efficient class had been form- 
ed in Strong, consisting of William Reed, Eliab Eaton, 



98 . Religious Societies. 

Edward Flint, Richard Clark, and their wives, and 
many others; and another at Avon, among the mem- 
bers of which were Joshua Soiile, Moses Dudley, Eben- 
ezer Thompson, with many of their families and others. 
Frorn this class W'ere soon raised up three acceptable 
preachers, viz: Joshua Soule Jr., Samuel Thompson, and 
Daniel Dudley, the former of whom is now one of the 
acting bishops of the Episcopal Methodist Church, resi- 
dent in Ohio. 

This era of the Methodist societies in Maine, forms 
a very striking contrast with the present. They not 
only had to contend with embarrassments incident to 
the formation of societies on new ground, but much of 
the country was little more than an unbroken wilder- 
ness. They traveled at all seasons on horse-back, and 
not unfrequently by spotted lines, experiencing all the 
embarrassments incident to new settlements, which 
seemed only to nerve them up to more zealous exertion 
for the conversion of souls and the building up of the 
church. 

Tiie first Quarterly -Meeting in the state was held at 
Monmouth, on the 23d of June, 1795, and the first on 
the Sandy-River in December following. Jesse Lee 
was presiding elder, who continued in that station for 
some time, when he was succeeded by Joshua Taylor. 
Mr. Lee visited Maine in 1800, and, for the last time 
in 1808. He preached his last discourse in this section 
at Farmington-Falls, from Isaiah 33; 13. — "Hear ye 
that are far off what 1 have done: and ye that are 
near, acknowledge my might;" — when, after a rehears- 
al of the goodness of God in the conversion of souls, 
and the building up and spread of the societies, wit- 
nessed by himself, he powerfully enforced the exhorta- 
tion of Joshua to the Children of Israel, "Now there- 



Religions Socieiies. 99 

fore iVar the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and 
tmth." 

He was born in Prince-George County, Virginia; 
entered the traveling connection in 1782, and first vi- 
sited New-England in 1789. At the conference at 
New-York in 1790 he w^as ordained deacon, and then 
elder, and appointed to travel in New-England. In 
1791 he was appointed presiding elder over the first 
New-England District. He died at Hillsborough, on 
Annapolis Circuit, Dec. 12, 1816. He was a man 
well qualified to fill the station he occupied, that of an 
itinerant preacher, possessing an afiable disposition, 
though a plain and pungent preacher, and was well 
calculated to disarm opposition in all its forms. 

The first Methodist meeting-house in this state was 
built in Readfield, and dedicated by Mr. Lee, on the 
21st of June, 1795, and where the first conference was 
held, Aug. 29, 1798, of which Francis Asbury was pre- 
siding bishop. 

The society at Farmington-Falls proceeded to build 
a meeting-house about 1800, (being the first in town,) 
where Sabbath appointments were established and con- 
tinued with success for some time, but, owing to vari- 
ous causes, the house was suffered to go to decay, and 
the class became much reduced. 

Ih 1820 a class was formed on Porter's-Hill. Osgood 
Eaton, Job Brooks, William Russell, with their wives 
and many of their families were among the number. 

In 1831 the Brick Meeting-house on the west side 
of the river, was built, mostly by the Methodist soci- 
ety, where they now have preaching half the time. 

Near this time a class was formed at the Center- 
Village, one in the eastern part of the town, one in 
the Holly-Neighborhood, and one at Backus'-Corner. 



1 00 Religious Societies. 

This town and Vienna now form a circuit, furnisli- 
ing preaching alternately on the Sabbath, once in two 
w6eks at the Brick-Meeting-house, once in four weeks 
at Farmington-Falls, and at Vienna, and various lec- 
tures through the week in the. more remote sections of 
the towns. 

There are now six classes in town, viz. at Farming- 
ton-F^lls, the Center-Village, Mosher-Neighborhood, — 
Holly class, — at Backus'-Corner, the West side of the- 
river, and Porter's-Hill, numbering, (after the formation 
of the Protestant and Wesleyan societies in 1843,) 114,-; 
about 80 of which were members of the church, the 
remainder being members of classes on trial. 

Several preachers have been raised up, viz. Benja- 
min F. Sprague, John Allen, Jabez Talbot Gay, who 
were successful preachers in the traveling connection, 
and John Gower, Joseph Russell, Jeremiah Butler, John 
Norton, and Moses Brown, who have acted in a local 
capacity. 

In the society's progress very many have been the 
changes as to the formation and alteration of classes, 
and circuits, and districts, but the traveling connection 
has always furnished preaching to a greater or less ex- 
tent. The societies have been occasionally favored 
with special revivals, among which may be noticed 
those of 1794 and 5, 1808 and 9, 1821, 1834, and 
1843, and many others of less note. 

In looking back on the past we readily see that most 
of those who filled places of usefulness both in the mi- 
nistry and membership, in the former part of that pe- 
riod of which we have been speakings are gone the 
way of all the earth and their places are now filled 
by others; while many that remain have shifted their 
fields of labor and usefulness, and their stations are 



Religious Societies. ' 101 

supplied by new gifts. Among those who have labored 
successively for the . edification of these societies, not 
already noticed, may be named a Stebbins, Broadhead, 
Kibby, Heath, Stone, S. Hull, Williston, Searl, Hall, 
Bates, and many others, among whom ought not to be 
omitted the name of Eleazer Wells, who traveled in 
this district for a number of years. It may be said of 
him as of Stephen, he was a "man full of faith and of 
the Holy Ghost." 

When attending a quarterly-meeting in Strong, on 
the loth of July, 1823, it being a time of unusual 
drouth, and it seeming to all human appearance that 
sustenance for man and beast must fail unless prevent- 
ed by an interposition of divine Providence, — Mr. Wells 
was led to exercise unusual faith in prayer for assist-" 
ance in that time of distress from that God who is 
wont to hear and answer the prayers of those who 
humbly and devoutly implore his assistance; at the close 
of which he recommended the observance of the 17th 
of that month as a day of fasting, humiliation and pray- 
er, on account of the drouth, which was religiously ob- 
served by many of the societies, and at the close of 
which day a most refreshing rain commenced, and 
which resulted in again reviving the hopes of the hus- 
bandman, and enabled the earth to produce a plentiful 
harvest. 



102 Rfliirioiis Societies. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

BAPTISXS. 

The first preacher of the Baptist denomination known 
to have visited the Sandy-River Valley was Rev. Eli- 
phalet Smith, from Massachusetts, then an itinerant 
preacher, and engaged in a revival in what was then 
called Starling, now Fayette, and who penetrated the 
then thinly settled region of country as far as this place, 
and attended some appointments at the house of Moses 
Starling, as early as 1792. A church was that year 
embodied at Fayette, being the fruits of the revival al- 
luded to. Mr. Smith was constituted its pastor. 

In the course of the winter following, Oliver Billings, 
(since known as Elder Billings,) who had been a sub- 
ject of the revival, and who had united with the new- 
ly constituted church in Fayette, — made a visit to this 
town. 

His testimony to the truths of the gospel carried con- 
viction to the hearts of several in the place, which was 
the commencement of one of the most extensive reviv- 
als ever known in this section of the country. It con- 
tinued to progress through 1793, 1794, and 1795. 

Most of the early converts in this revival were bap- 
tized and gathered into a church by Elder Lock, soon 
after, and united with the Freewill-Baptists, Some, 
however, embraced Baptist sentiments and occasionally 
Baptist preaching was had in the town, by Elders 
Smith, Case, Billings and some others; but no church 
was formed till 1797, when a small church was gather- 
ed by Elders Case and Smith, and which consisted of 
seven members. 



Reliorious Societies, 103 



•tt 



Among the first members were, Church Braiiiard, 
\bigail Brainard, Eliphalet Bailej, Joseph Fairbanks, 
and Abel Sweet,, of Farmington, and William Bradbury 
of Chestervillc. Church Brainard was chosen deacon. 

The church was furnished with but little preaching 
and had but small accessions for some time, so that in 
1807 it consisted of nine members only. 

About 1809 the place was again favored with a pret- 
ty extensive revival and an addition was made to the 
chiuxh of some 13 members. 

In 1810, in consequence of some internal difliculties 
in the church, it was dissolved, and a new church was 
constituted, (July 20, 1810,) by the assistance of a coun- 
cil called from the churches in Fayette and Jay, and 
^^ hich consisted of Elder Oliver Billings, and five others. 

The church then contained 8 male and • 14 female 
members. Benjamin Brainard was chosen clerk, and 
Isaac Thomas deacon. Several others united with 
it soon after, among whom was Eliphalet Bailey, who 
;vas appointed deacon. 

From its first organization to 1821, a period of about 
24 years, it received only occasional preaching by 
Messrs. Case, Smith, Billings, Briggs, Low, Boardman, 
and some others. In 1816 the church was favored 
with the labors of Elder Billings, to a considerable ex- 
tent, which were greatly blessed to the edification of 
its members, and to the gathering in of a number who 
had not before made a public profession of their faith 
in Christ. 

in 1821, Rev. VVinthrop Morse, from Massachusetts, 
became pastor. The church had then 52 members, but 
in three years it was again left destitute of a pastor by 
the resignation of Mr. IMorse. 

Their next Minister was Rev. Hezekiah Hull from No- 



104 Religions Societies. 

va-Scotia, who labored >vitli the church, acceptably, in 
1828 and 1829, and some additions were made. 

In 1834 a number were added as the fruit of a un- 
ion protracted meeting, held -in August of that year. 
Rev. Nathan Mayhew preached the former* part of the 
year, and Rev. William Wyman the latter part of that 
year and a part of the succeeding ypar, one half the 
time, to the advantage of the church. 

Till this time the church had been destitute of a 
suitable house for public worship; their meetings having 
been held, at first in barns and dwelling-houses, and 
subsequently in school-houses in different neighborhoods, 
and a part of the time in what is now the Court- 
House, which was for many years the only meeting- 
house in the center of the town, and which was own- 
ed by six or seven different societies. 

In 1835 they erected a house tor worship, which was 
completed the following season, and, the expense of 
which was a source of some embarrassment to the 
church, but from which they have nearly recovered. 

The church, 'however, continued to sustain preaching, 
statedly, one half or three fourths of the time, general- 
ly, until the settlement of Rev. Amaziah Joy as their 
pastor. He was ordained Dec. 5, 1838, and continu- 
ed his labors with the church, until Feb. 8, 1840, when 
he was dismissed. His place was supplied by Rev. 
Levi B. Hathaway, whose ordination took place on the 
30th of June, 1841. They were soon left destitute 
again, as Mr. Hathaway closed his pastoral labors with 
them on the 30th, of May, 1842. 

In September follow^ing the church gave Rev N. M. 
Williams a call to become their pastor for five years, 
which was accepted by him. Application was made to 
the Missionary Society for assistance in his support, 



Religions Societies. .105 

which was afforded, to some extent, for one year. The 
church continued to make provision for his support, 
from year to year, by subscription, that being their us- 
ual method. 

In April following, a union protracted meeting was 
held in the place, in which the church . took a part. 
A general revival ensued, and considerable additions 
were made to its numbers, as fruits of the revival, in 
the course of the season. Occasional additions have 
since been made by letter, and the church now num- 
bers about ninety. 

Mr. Williams continued his labors .with the church 
till the 3rd of May, 1 846, being a period of nearly four 
years, when he presented a letter of resignation, which 
was accepted, and the church is now destitute of a 
pastor. 

Cyrus Case, who united with the church in 1835, 
was licensed to preach in 1840, and ordained as pastor 
of the first Baptist Church in Monmouth, in October, 
1842. 



106 Religious Societies. 

CHAPTER XXllI. 
UNIVERSALISTS. 

The first preacher of the Universalist denomination, 
who visited this town, is thought to be the Rev. Mr. 
Barns, and after him a Mr. Smith, and perhaps some 
others. In 1811 they obtained an act of incorporation 
from the General-Court pf Massachusetts, by which 
they were denominated the "First Universalist Society 
in Farmington." 

This was the first incorporated society in town, and 
it consisted of fifty members, who principally resided in 
the lower part of the town. They were organized, 
September 2, 1811, by making choice of Jeremiah 
Stinchfield for clerk, Benjamin Weathern, Reuben Low- 
ell, and Jeremy Wyman for assessors, William Gould 
for treasurer, and Reuben Lowell Jr. for collector. At 
the same meeting, Thomas Gorden, Reuben Lowell, 
and Horatio G. Quincy were appointed delegates to 
represent the society in the General-Convention to be 
held at Freeport, on the 2nd Wednesday of that 
month. 

They took immediate measures to raise funds by an 
assessment of $100 on the polls and estates of the so- 
ciety, for the support of preaching. The Rev. Mr. 
Root, appears to have been employed for one third of 
the time. In 1812 the General-Convention was held 
at Farmington for jhe first time. 

From that time to 1824 preaching was furnished a 
part of the time only, as contracts were made from 
time to time, but at this time William A. Drew united 
with them and soon after commenced preaching, and 



Religious Societies. 107 

being a young man of talent, he soon became an able 
speaker. He however soon removed, and has since 
confined his labors mostly to the county of Kennebec, 
where he has acted a prominent part, both as a preach- 
er, and as editor of a paper devoted to the interests of 
the denomination, and other useful objects. 

Soon after this period the Rev. Zenas Thompson set- 
tled with this society, and continued his labors for 
some time. The society, up to this time, had receiv- 
ed additional members to the umount of 38, making 88 
in the whole, which number had been diminished by 
deaths, removals and dismissions to about 70. 

In 1829, the state of the society having become 
somewhat unpromising, it was thought best to organize 
a new society, as the First Universalist Society in 
Farmington and Vicinity, which was done under the 
then existing law, by a warrant from a justice of the 
peace, on the petition of William Gould and 16 oth- 
er individuals, desirous thus to be embodied, who met 
at the school-house near Reuben •Butterfield's, on the 
29th day of June 1829. Gen. William Gould was 
chosen moderator, and Zenas Thompson clerk. The 
meeting was then adjourned to the first Wednesday in 
September, at which meeting ten additional members 
were received, and the following officers were chosen, 
viz: John Russ, James Butterfield, and Lemuel Burs- 
ley, assessors; Nathaniel Whittier, collector; Moses But- 
terfield, treasurer; and Leonard Billings, Ira Morse, and 
William Gould, standing-committee. 

The society voted that the annual meetings should 
be held in March, or April, and also to raise the sum 
of ^100 for the support of preaching, for the year. 

Mr. Thompson's labors were continued with the so- 
ciety till April 27, 1833, when his pastoral relation 



108 Religio\is Societies. 

with the society was, try his request, dissolved. Since 
this time preaching on the Sabbath has been continued 
but a part of the time. 

In 1832 the society received in securities from the 
first parish in the town, the amount of ^Q^Q 17, being 
the proceeds of the funds arising from the lands appro- 
priated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the 
use of the ministry, and for the first settled minister, 
an arrangement having been made by which tlie funds 
were divided equally between the six different religious 
societies in town. 

The organization of this society has been regularly- 
kept up, and the expenses have been borne by regular 
assessments, from the interest ai the fund, and by vo- 
luntary contributions or subscription. 



Religious Societies. 109 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
CONGREGATIONAblSTS. 

The first preaching in Farminglon was by this de- 
nomination. Rev. Mr. Emerson, of Georgetown, in 
this state, who visited the place some time previous to 
1788, preached the first sermon in Mr. Titcomb's log 
house, and baptized his child, being the first borri, and 
the first baptized in this town. 

In 1790 the place was visited by the Rev. Mr. Lit-* 
tie, then pastor of a church in Kennebunk, who was 
employed by the Massachusetts Missionary Society, as 
a missionary. For several years succeeding, the Rev. 
Jotham Sewall of Chesterville, and the Rev. Samuel 
Sewall then of the south-westerly part of this town, 
supplied those who preferred Congregational preaching, 
either by the aid of the society ^or by the voluntary 
contributions of the people. In the early part of the 
present century, the Rev. Jonathan Burr, who after- 
wards settled at Sandwich, Mass., supplied the people 
for one season, if not longer. 

In the year 1804 Rev. Mr. Gould preached with 
them, as a missionary from Massachusetts. 

In 1805 Rev. Mr. Marcy labored here as a mission- 
ary trom the Massachusetts Missionary Society. 

From 1806 to 1812 Rev. Jotham Sewall furnished 
the principal supply, who was so well received, that 
upon his exchanging for a season with Rev. Mr. Cox, 
of New-Hampshire, Mr. Starling remarked, "We paid 
Mr. Sewall for wheat, and he has given us oats." 

A Congregational church was early organized in 



1 1 Religious Societies. 

Chesterville, with which those of tliat denomination in 
this town united, and remained until a church was 
formed here, in 1814. 

In 1813 Rev. Fifield Holt, came here from Massa- 
chusetts, and from Andover Theological Seminary. He 
was a good man and deservedly popular. He after- 
wards also preached occasionally in the place, an(l ex- 
ercised a kind of pastoral supervision of the interests of 
the denomination until the settlement of their present 
pastor. 

In 1814 Mr. Hezekiah Hall preached in this place 
and vicinity. He was a man of ready talent, and very 
.fluent and copious in his words, and logical in his dis- 
courses, but he had many eccentricities, and so many 
and glaring faults, that although he was subsequently 
settled over the, church in New-Sharon, he remained 
there but nine months. 

In the years 1816, 1817, 1819, 1823, 1824, and 
1825 the Rev. John H. Ingraham, Rev. Thomas Ad- 
ams, Rev. Elijah Jones, Rev. Seneca White, Rev. Geo. , 
W. Campbell, and Rev. Daniel D. Tappan labored 
here as missionaries for considerable periods of time, 
and others who came then and previously labored for 
shorter periods. 

To three of these — Rev. Messrs. Adams, White, and 
Campbell, either overtures for settlement were extend- 
ed or movements to that eifect were made, but were 
not successful. 

The immediate predecessor of the present pastor, in 
missionary labors, was Rev. Fifield Holt, of Bloomfield, 
in this state. He closed his services in the fall of 1825, 
and died a few years after at the age of 48. 

Rev. Isaac Rogers, the present pastor came here in 
November, 1825, and was ordained as the pastor of the 



Religious Societies. 1 1 1 

First Congregational Church, on the 9th of March, 
1826. 

At this time the only house for religious worship at 
the Center was what is now the Court-House. That 
was then owned, and liable to be occupied by six or 
seven denominations. For five years Mr. Rogers 
preached in town, three fourths of the time — and the 
other fourth at -Wilton, and in the vicinity. Yet the 
old meeting-house, being owned with others, could not 
always be occupied by him, even that part of the time. 
Hence they occupied school-houses and dwelling-houses, 
in different parts of the town, and they not unfrequent- 
ly held interesting and profitable meetings in the hall^ 
of the Academy, which is now denominated the Chapel. 
In 1831-2 a new building having been erected by Dea- 
con Nathaniel Green, for the purpose of a high-school, 
this, through his generosity, aflforded quite a passable 
and convenient place of worship, for several years, — 
in connection with the old meeting-house, which they 
occupied half the time, being something less than the 
amount owned by the society entitled them to. The 
building erected by Deacon Green is that recently oc- 
cupied by S. G. Ladd, Esq. as a hard-ware store. 

In 1837 the neat and convenient house of worship 
which they now occupy, was dedicated to the service 
of Almighty God. Since that time their meetings have 
been stated and regular, and exceedingly well attended. 

This church was organized December 14, 1814. It 
then consisted of twelve members, viz: Thomas Wen- 
dell, Abraham Smith, Luther Towasend, Ebenezer B. 
Wellman, Harrison Allen, Mehetable Titcomb, Prudence 
Minot, Dorothy Townsend, Mary Bailey, Mary Case, 
Hannah C. Beale, and Susanna Richardson. The dea- 
cons have been Abraham Smith, chosen 1814; Hebron 



112 Religions Societies. 

May hew, chosen 1815, died Dec. 1826; Nathaniel 
Green, chosen 1828, dismissed 1845; Thomas Hunter, 
chosen 1836. Thomas Wendell, the present clerk, was 
chosen in Jan. 1818, 

The church had increased, at the time of the present 
pastor's ordination, to not far from '50 who had been 
admitted, but by deaths and dismissions this number 
was diminished to 40. 

Some small additions were made to th'e church in 
the years 1826 and 1827, but its greatest times (» en- 
largement have been in connection with three seasons 
of deep and general religious interest, with which it 
has pleased God to favor the place, since that period. 
*These were in the years 1828, 1834, 1842, and 1843, 
and at these several periods, not far from 120 were 
added to their numbers by profession and letter, and 
upwards of 30 have been added since. 

There have been connected with this church, since 
its organization, not far from 207 members. Of these 
upwards of 157 have been added under the present 
pastor. Of the whole number 38 have died; 42 have 
been dismissed to other churches, and 4 have been ex- 
communicated. The present number is 122. Not far 
from 20 of these, however, reside in other places, while 
not far from 10 members of Congregational churches 
in other places, reside in town, and attend on Mr. Ro- 
gers' ministrv. 



r 



Religious Societies. 1 1 3 

CHAPTER XXV. 
CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

On the 22nd of December, 1822, a number of pro- 
fessed Christians, in the south-west part of the town, 
of different societies, but principally .Freewill-Baptists, 
met and formed an association for their mutual edifica- 
tion as Christians, to promote their spirituality, and to 
adopt measures to extend the cause of the Redeemer 
on the earth — but without an intention of forming a 
distinct or separate church — b^t from having been im- 
pressed with the necessity of all the followers of Christ 
being knit together, in the spirit of love, as far as 
their locality would permit, without reference to differ- 
ences of opinion in things which they did not consider 
essential to their fellowship as Christians. 

They proceeded to establish monthly or conference 
meetings, which were constantly attended from 1822 
to 1832, with a few exceptions. They entered into an 
agreement that they would watch over each other, not 
for their haulting, but for their furtherance in the di- 
vine life — that they would Take the scriptures for their 
rule of faitli and practice, inviting all of every name 
and denomination, who sincerely love God and wish 
for the promotion of Prince Immanuel, to unite with 
them for the purposes referred to. It was further 
agreed that all such as might unite AAith them, should 
have the privilege of retaining their standing in what- 
ever church they might be attached to, and to help, or 
receive lielp, from any Christian church or society, but 
were required to attend, as far as consistent, all church 
or conference meetings appointed by the societv. 

O 



114 Religious Societies. 

They continued to have accessions to their numbers 
from different denominations, and some who had not 
attached themselves to any church, who signed the pre- 
ceeding agreement, so that their numbers increased to 
some 60 or 70. 

During this period preachers of various denomina- 
tions occasionally held meetings in the neighborhood 
where their conferences were held, but mostly of the 
Christian connection. 

On exchange of views with preachers of the last 
named denomination, it was found that their views and 
practices agreed with the views of most of the society, 
and thinking that it might be for their furtherance in 
the gospel, they appointed delegates to the Christian 
Kennebec Conference, held at Monmouth, on the 13th 
of October, 1832, who bore a request for their admis- 
sion to fellowship, with that body, upon which they 
were received. 

*0n the 30th of April 1835, Elder Peter Young, 
formerly from York in this state, united with this 
church, and became their pastor, and was much esteem- 
ed. His labors were blessed to the edification of the 
church, and considerable additions were made during 
his ministry, which was continued mos.t of the time till 
his death, being about three years. 

On the 30th of April, 1835, a number were dismis- 
sed for the purpose of forming another church in Jay, 
who, with others, were soon after embodiec^ in a church 
of the same order. 

j\'Ir. Young died at his residence in Chesterville, 
May 24, 1838, when the church was left destitute of 
a pastor. 

October 13, 1838, Elder Jonathan Bradley of Vi- 
enna, waa Teceived into the church, and assumed the 



Religious Societies. 115 

pastoral charge, and preached with the church occasion- 
ally. He died October 21, 1839. 

The church remained destitute of a pastor till March 
23rd, 1841, when Elder Daniel Rogers, from New- 
Hampshire, united with the church, took the oversight, 
and preached with them the principal part of the time. 

Under his labors there was some revival, and addi- 
tions were made to the church. He continued his la- 
bors about three years, and then returned to New- 
Hampshire. He was a man who possessed the confi- 
dence and esteem of the church, and of most of those 
who knew him. 

Some two or three years since, some 15 withdrew 
on account of some difference of opinion, and, a num- 
ber having moved away, and some having died, the 
church is now reduced to about 30 members, whose 
local situation is rather scattering. 

Since Mr. Rogers left, Elder Henry Frost has preach- 
ed occasionally with the church. They are at present 
destitute of stated meetings for religious worship. John 
F. Woods is the only one who now remains of the 
original members. 



IIG Religious Societies. 

CHAPTER XXVI, 
UNITARIANS. , 

The first Unitarian Society in Farmington was or- 
ganized, Feb. 27, 1830, on the petition of t]^e follow- 
ing individuals, who constituted the original members, 
viz: Nathan Cutler, Asa Abbot Jr., Henry Titcomb, 
Joseph Johnson, Isaac Tyler, Argalis Pease, Robert W. 
Tobey, Henry Stewart, John A. Stoyell, William H. 
Johnson, E. Oilman Rosson, and Thomas Williams. — 
William H. Johnson was chosen clerk, and Isaac Ty- 
ler treasurer, and Henry Titcomb, Argalis Pease, and 
Henry Stewart a standing committee, for the year. — 
» Asa Abbot Jr. was appointed agent to receive the so- 
ciety's poroportion of the ministerial fund. Nathan 
Cutler was chosen treasurer in 1831, and A. H. Stew- 
art clerk in 1833, which offices they have filled to the 
present time. 

They soon after received considerable accession of 
numbers, and they proceeded by an arrangement with 
the Trustees of the Academy, to^ fit up the upper story 
of the academy building, for the accommodation of 
meetings for worship, and which answered convenient- 
ly for the purpose, and which has since been known 
as "The Chapel." 

In 1836 the JRev. Thomas Beede, Abigail Beede, 
Hannah R. Beede, Elizabeth Moore, Deborah Belcher, 
Ann B. Titcomb, Caroline W. Belcher, and Josiah 
Prescott were received as members of the society. 

Mr. Beede was employed to preach with them, and 
continued for some time. He was supported by sub- 
scription and the interest arising from' the share of the 
ministerial fund received from the town. 



Religious Societies. 117 

Since Mr. Beede left they have not had stated preach- 
ing. Small appropriations have been made from the 
interest arising from the funds, for the purchase o 
tracts and books for gratuitous distribution — otherwise 
the interest has been added to the principal, which haj 
considerably increased. 

The whole number of members received into the so- 
ciety appears to be 36. From deaths, removals, and 
other causes, the number has been somewhat reduced. 
It now numbers 23. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 
PROTESTANT METHODISTS. 

A Protestant Methodist Society was formed in the 
upper part of the town, Jan. 17, 1843, by Benjamin 
Dodge, who had formerly been an ordained local 
preacher in the Episcopal Methodist Church, but who 
had subsequently united with the Protestant Method- 
ists in Massachusetts, in the same capacity. The first 
organization embraced five persons, viz: Benjamin 
Dodge, Richard H. Dorr, Nathan Davis, Moses Brown, 
and Stephen Williams. Jabez T. Gay, and Marchaht 
Holly united immediately after. 

A religious revival soon after commenced, in the 
neighborhood, which extended to the Center- Village, 
and into many other sections of the town. 

About 70 w^ere received into the society, which was 
divided into several classes, most of which remain, and 
which contain, at the present time, about 35 members. 
They have at the present time, four ordained preach- 



1 1 8 Religious Societies. 

ers, viz: Benjamin Dodge, Richard H. Dorr, Nathan 
Davis, and Marchant Holly. 

Jabez Talbot Gay united A\dth this society immedi- 
ately after its formation, and acted a very conspicuous 
part in the reformation to which we have already re- 
ferred. He was a man of undoubted Christian charac- 
ter, though possessed of some eccentricities. He pos- 
sessed an acceptable gift, and was unusually devoted 
to the w^ork of preaching the gospel, to which calling 
he devoted himself without reserve. The interest which 
he felt in the salvation of his fellow men, and his in- 
cessant labors in the ministry, no doubt, served to has- 
ten his early death. He died in February, 1845, aged 
35. 



CHAPTER XXVHL 
WESLEYAN METHODISTS. 

In March, 1843, a Wesleyan Methodist society was 
formed on the west side of the river, consisting of Mo- 
ses Lufkin of Strong, Joseph Russell, Peter R. Tufts, 
and wife, Ira Sprague and wife, Daniel Stanley, and 
wife, Matthias S. Norcross, and wife, Andrew Tuck, 
and Daniel York, of this town — twelve in all. 

Peter R. Tufts was appointed leader, and, at the 
ensuing conference, Benjamin Bullock was stationed 
with the society half the time, where be continued for 
the two years following, and occasionally since, occupy- 
ing the Brick-Meeting-house alternately with the Epis- 
copal Methodists. Messrs. Russell, Lufkin, and E.. 
Pope have occasionally supplied, the latter part of 



Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 119 

the tiiDe. Some additions have since been made, and 
the society now numbers about 20. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 
SKETCHES OF NEIGHBORING TOWNS. 

NEW-SHARON. 

Mr Prince Baker was the first settler in the town of 
New-Sharon. — He was a native of Pembroke, Mass., 
from which place he removed to Readfield in this 
state, at an early day, and from there^ to what is now 
New-Sharon in 1782. 

Nathaniel Tibbits, Benjamin Chaml)ers, Benjamin 
Rollins, James Howes, and Samuel Prescott 1st, were 
among some of the first settlers in that town. The 
township ^vas afterwards purchased of the state, by 
Prince Baker and others, Feb. 14, 1791. It contains 
28,600 acres. 

The mills at the Falls were first built by Abel Ba- 
ker, in 1801. They afterwards- passed into the hands 
of Francis May hew, and were rebuilt by him and much 
improved. The bridge was built aboOt 1809 or 1810, 
and has since been rebuilt with permanent stone abut- 
ments, and well covered. The water privilege at the 
village is a superior one, and the location possesses 
many advantages for a business place. It has, in ad- 
dition to the grist-mi!!, a saw-mill, shingk'-niachine, 
starch-factory, one or more tanneries, falliiH^-mill, card- 
ing-n^achine, a number of biacksrnith-shops, and most 
kinds of mechanics, a number of stores, 2 Jawver's of- 



120 Sketches of Neighboring Towns. • 

fices, four meeting-houses — Baptist, Methodist, Coiigre- 
gationalist, and Universalist. The FreewiU-Baptists 
have one in the south part of the town, and there is 
a Ci'ee meeting-house at Weeks'-Mills, in the north- 
west part of the town, where there is a set of mills, a 
starch-factorv, and a considerable village. 

The town was incorporated, June 20, 1794. In 1840 
it contained 1820 inhabitants-^319 polls — valuation 
j!j!286,890 as corrected by the legislature. 

The town possesses a variety of excellent soil and 
has an advantage in location over most of the towns 
in the county as to access to market and water com- 
munication. 

A large and convenient meeting-house built by the 
different religious" societies, about 1816, on the site 
now occupied by the Congregational meeting-house^ 
was burned in April, 1842. 



JAY, 



Jay, which takes its name from Hon. John Jay^ 
was incorporated February 26, 1795. It was formerly 
known as Phips' Canada, and was granted to Capt- 
Josiah Phips and 63 otliers, for services in the French 
war of 1755. It was a large township, situated on 
both sides of the Androscoggin, and embracing 27,200 
acres, about one third of which, lying on the west sidt; 
of the river, was incorporated into a town by the name 
of Canton, in 1821. 

By the grant it was to be divided into rights of 400 
acres each, one to be reserved for Harvard College, 
one for the first settled minister, one for the use of the 
ministry, and one for the use of schools. It was ^eari v 
surveved and- divided into lots of 100 acres each, a 



Sketches of Neighbor ing Towns. 121 

settling committee was appointed by the associates, 
who subsequently purchased the w hole, and so manag- 
ed tlie business that the original owners received little 
or no benefit from the grant. 

Actual settlements were not commenced till after the 
Revolutionary-War. Simon Coolidge, Dea. Oliver Ful- 
ler, Samuel Eustis, Scarborough Parker, Moses Crafts, 
Isaac West, Thomas Fuller, Joseph Hyde, Nathaniel 
Jackson, Samuel Jackson, W illiam Godding, and James 
Adkinson, were some of the first settlers in the town. 

There is something of a village on what is called 
Jay-Hill, where James Starr Esq., now a resident of 
the place, settled as early as 1802. Here are two 
stores, a tavern, meeting-house, &c. 

Near Jay-Hill is a toll-bridge across the Androscog- 
gin, a first-rate grist-mill, which was put in operation 
in 1846, and a saw-mill. There is also a meeting- 
house in the northerly part of the town, and one in 
the more easterly part. This towui has derived little 
benefit from water power or floating capital, but. was 
settled by, and possessess a population of industrious, 
independent yeomanry. ' There is also a small village 
known as Bean's-Corner, in the north-east section -of 
the town, where a number of the sons of the late 
Friend Bean, of Readfield, settled at an early 

At first the people of this town had only occasional 
preaching from traveling preachers. A Baptist church 
was formed in 179^, which became a large and flour- 
ishing church. Joseph Adams, one of its members, be- 
came its first pastor in 1804, where he continued his 
labors some 14 years with success. He was followed 
by Rev. E. Nelson, in 1821, who , continued 3 years. 

In 1824 thev had 153. members." In 1826 thev became 

p ; 



122 Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 

divided in opinion, and nearly one third were excludedy 
who formed a separate church. Since this time they 
have been supplied by various preachers, as employed 
from time to time. Some six Baptist ministers have 
been raised up from this church. There is also a con- 
siderable Methodist society, who have stated preaching; 
and two small Freewill-Baptist churches. In 1840 the 
town had 1750 inhabitants, and 290 polls. The valu- 
ation, in 1842, as corrected by the legislature, was 
,^239,077. 

STRONG. 

The first settlement jn the town of Strong, (for- 
merly Middletown,) was made as early as 1784, by 
William Reed, from. Noble borough, in this state; who 
was followed by Edward Flint, John Day, David and 
Joseph Humphrey, Jacob Sawyer, William Hiscpck, 
Benjamin Dodge, Timothy Merry, Eliab Eaton, Peter 
Patterson, and Robert McLeery and — Ellsworth, all 
from the same place, or vicinity. This town is situat- 
ed directly north of Farmington, on the Sandy-River. 
The first framed barn was put up by Mr. Read, in 
1786-7, and his house, (the first framed house,) in 1791- 
2. The inhabitants of this town, as well as those lo- 
cated higher up the river, frequently had to go to Win- 
throp to mill, and to use mortars, for some years. 

Richard Clark, and Joseph Kersey settled in the 
town, about 1792. The township was purchased of the 
state by an association of individuals, of whom William 
Read was one, and who acted as their agent in the 
purchase and survey of the town. The state reserved 
one lot for Picrpole-, on which he had settled, after 
leaving Farmington-Falls.. He put up the second fram- 



Skeic/iesf of Neighboring Towns. 123 

ed house in the town, where he remained till 1801, 
when he left and went to Canada with his fanjily. — 
This town embraces a territory of seven miles from 
north to south, and five fronl east to west. The soil 
is strong and fertile, though tlie surface is somewhat 
uneven. It has a considerably large pond in the east- 
ern extriemity, at the outlet of which is a saw-mill and 
a clover-mill, built and owned by Alexander Porter. — 
There is a grist-mill on the Sandy-River, and on the 
North-East-Branch of the Sandy-River a grist-mill, saw- 
mill, fulling-mill, carding-machine, starch-factory, tanne- 
ry, and various kinds of mechanic shops, and a very 
pretty village, containing a number of stores, a post of- 
fice, lawyer's-office, meeting-house, and two taverns. 
Just below th(? village there is a bridge across the San- 
dy-River. There is also a meetino;-house at the lower 
part of the town, and one in the easterly section, all 
of which were mostly built, and are chiefly occupied 
by the Episcopal Methodists. There is a meeting- 
house in the north-east part of the town which was 
built by the Congregationalists, and which they occupy. 
William Read was early commissioned a justice-of-the- 
peace, and held many important offices till near the 
close of life. He was a man of more than ordinary 
talent and possessed the confidence and esteem of all 
who knew him. His house was ever the home of the 
traveler, and his hands were ever open to the wants of 
the needy. His house was burned in April, "1823, 
which was the cause of his instant death. The town 
was incorporated Jan. 31, 1801, taking the name of 
Strong from the circumstance of the act of incorpora- 
tion being the first act of the kind which bore the sig- 
nature of Caleb Strong, w^ho was for many years go*- 
vernor of Massachusetts. In 1840 it contained 1109 



124 Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 

inhabitants, and 155 polls. Its valuation as corrected 
bv thf' legislarure of 1842, is ,^158,989. • 

« 

CHESTERVILLE. 

The first settlement in Chestervillc was made by 
Abraham Wyman in 1782. Dummer Sewall 2d, and 
Samuel Linscot commenced in 1783, near the Lower- 
Mills. Rev. Jotham Sewall, Elder Edward Lock, and 
others, moved into the town soon after. The mills at 
that place were first built in 1785. There is now a 
considerable village at the place. The saw-mills have 
afforded more pine lumber than any others in this sec- 
tion of country, a considerable part of the territory hav- 
ing been partially covered with a growth of pine. At 
these mills there are a meeting house, starch-fac- 
tory, one or more stores, and mechanics of various trades. 
There is also a saw-mill at the southerly part of the 
town, and one at Farmington-Falls; a grist-mill, fulling- 
mill, and carding-machine at Keith's-Mills. Shingle- 
machines are attached to nearly all the saw^-mills. 

Chestervillc is situated south of Farraington, and is 
watered by the Wilson-Sti'eam, Little-Norridgewock, 
and a number of ponds. The territory does not con- 
veniently accommodate public meetings, as the town is 
some ten or twelve miles in length, and the width nar- 
row and irregular. It has several excellent ridges of 
land for farming, and the town produces some of the 
best neat-stock in the country. The population m 1840 
was 1098, and the number of polls 197. The valua- 
tion in 1842 was 142,359 dollars. The town was in- 
corporated February 20, 1802. The title was derived 
from the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the town- 
ship contains 19,000 acres. 



Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 125 

AVON. 

The town of Avon, (formerly called Upper-Town,) 
lies still hijjhcr up- the Sandy-River, and westerly of 
Strong; the Sandy-River passing through the town in 
a nearly south-east direction. Settlements commenced 
in this town about the same time as in Strong. Capt. 
Joshua Soule, from the Damariscotta-River, and Capt. 
Perkins Allen from Martha's-Vineyard, Mass., moved 
into town prior to 1784, who were followed by Moses 
Dudley, Ebenezer Thompson, Mark Whitten, Thomas 
Humphrey, Charles Dwelley, and Samuel and Jesse 
Ingham. The south and west parts of this town are 
somewhat uneven, and not wholly settled, — the south- 
west corner being near the summit of Mount-Blue. — 
There is a small village in the xeasterly part of the 
town, where there was formerly a !)ridge across the 
Sandy-River, which is a place of some trade. There 
are tw^o saw-mills on a small stream on the west side 
of the river. Avon was incorporated Feb. 22, 1802; 
had 827 inhabitants in 1840, and 141 polls. Valuation 
in 1842, 79,730 dollars. 

NEW-VINEYARD. 

The Town of New-Vineyard was purchased of the 
state, by an association of individuals, of Martha's-Vine- 
yard, Mass, together with Jonathan Knowkon of Farm- 
ington, who acted as their agent. After the survey it 
was divided by lot among them. Nearly all the first / 
settlers w^ere from Martha's-Vineyard; hence it took the 
name of New- Vineyard from the commencement of its 
settlement, and was incorporated by that name, Feb. 
22, 1 802. Dajiiel Collins and Abner Norton commenc- 



126 Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 

ed improvements and removed their families into town 
in the i\ill of 1791. Thej were the only families who 
wintered in the place the following winter. The first 
crops were raised in 1792. They ^vere soon after fol- 
lowed by Samuel Daggett, Jonathan Merry, James Man- 
ter, Ephraim Butler, John Spencer, Cornelius Norton, 

■ David Davis, John Daggett, Benjamin Benson, Joseph 
Smith, Henry Butler, Herbert Boardman, Charles Luce, 
Henry Norton, William Farrand, Seth Hillman, Ezra 
Winslow, and Calvin Burden. Settlements north of 
the mountains wera commenced soon after by people 
mostly from Middleboro', Mass., among whom were 
George Pratt, Eleazer Pratt, Paul Pratt, Elias Bryant, 
Simicon Hackett, Jabez Vaughan, Zephaniah Morton, 
and Beniah Pratt. That part called The Gore has 
since been set off to ^ Industry, and besides which the 
town consisted oF a territory six miles square. The 
south-easterly part, embracing about one fourth of the 
town, has more recently been set off, and now forms a 
part of Industry. The town has quite a range of 
mountains, extending nearly across the town from east 
to west, near the center, dividing . the waters of the 
Sandy-River from those of the Seven-Mile-Brook. The 
soil is generally good, especially in the northerly and 
easterly sections. The principal stream is the outlet of 
Porter's-Pond, in Strong, which discharges into the 
Seven-Mile-Brook, and on which are a number of val- 
uable mill-sitQS. A first-rate grist-mill, two saw-mills, 
a clover-mill, a shingle machine, > and various other 

^ kinds of machinery; two meeting-houses, one store, a 
number of mechanic's shops and dwelling houses, form 
a considerable village, which has been known as Vaugh- 
an's-Mills. The mills are now owned by Messrs. Luce 
and Stewart. New-Vineyard is situated east of Strong 



Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 127 

and north of Industry, and the place of business is 
about nint> mik^s from the Court-House. It had a po- 
pulation of 927 in 1840. The valuation in 1842 a- 
mounted to 94,408 dollars. But the population and the 
valuation have both been reduced by the transfer of 
territory to Industry. 

INDUSTRY. 

This town was formed from a remnant of the north- 
west corner of the Plymouth-Patent or Kennebec-Pur- 
chase. It is situated easterly of Farmington, and is 
bounded on the ^est by that town and New-Sharon, 
north by New- Vineyard, (a part of w^hich has been set 
off to Industry.) The first settlements in this town 
were made by James and John Thompson, Zoe Withe, 
Thomas Johnson, and William Allen, about 1793 or 
1794. Benjamin Cottle, Daniel Luce, Peter Daggett, 
Jabez Norton, Peter West, James Winslow, John Gow- 
er, and Lemuel Howes were also, early settlers. The 
lands were first taken up as each individual chose to 
select, and held by possession, and afterwards purchas- 
ed of those claiming proprietorship under the original pur- 
chase The Bull-Horse or Clear-Water-Pond, situated 
in the north-west corner of the town, affords an excel- 
lent stream of water, on which are a first-rate grist- 
mill, saw-mill, tannery and starch-factory, which, with 
a store and a number of mechanic's-shops, form a place 
of considerable business, near the outlet of the pond. 
These mills were first built by Rufus Davis, and pas- 
sed into the hands of James Gower, and from him to 
the present owners, Messrs. Benjamin and N. T. Allen. 
A set of mills was built in the north-east part of the 
town, by Peter West, at the time of the first settle- 



128 Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 

ment of the place, where there is now a considerable 
village. They have a Meeting-house, (Methodist,) full- 
ing-mill, carding-machine, a number of stores and shops, 
and the village is known as West's-Mills. There is al- 
so a union meeting-house, at the center of the town, 
and one in the Thompson-Neighborhood in the eastern 
part of the town, owned by the methodists. The town 
was incorporated June 20, 1803, had 1035 inhabitants 
in 1840, and 181 polls. The valuation in 1842 was 
139,067 dollars. There are four churches in town, viz: 
Methodist, Baptist, Congregationalist and F. W. Baptist. 

TEMPLE. 

The town of Temple lies west of Farmington and 
north of* Wilton, and was incorporated June 20, 1803. 
Temple and Wilton take their names from two towns 
in New-Hampshire, similarly situated, and from which 
many of the early settlers emigrated. Temple was for- 
merly known as No. 1 of Abbot's-Purchase. The first 
settlements were commenced about 1796. Joseph Hol- 
land and Samuel Briggs, were the two first who mov- 
ed into the place. They were soon followed by Jame? 
Tuttle, Moses Adams, John Kenney, Jona. Ballard, 
William Drury, Asa Mitchell, Samuel Lawrence, Messrs. 
Farmer Tripp, Poor, and Gideon and George Staples. 
Mr. Tuttle, who settled at the center of the town, was 
soon succeeded by Benjamin Abbot Esq. who was one 
of the most useful and respected citizens in the place. 
,He died 1823, aged 53. This town at the commence- 
ment of the settlement was owned by Benj. Phillips 
of Boston, but was, surveyed and settled under the 
agency of Jacob Abbot Esq., late of Brunswick, in this 
state, who subsequently purchased the residue of Mr. 



Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 129 

PhilJips' eastern lands. This town is somewhat moun- 
tainous, embracing quite a portion of" the Blue ridge, 
imt is good for grazing, and is said to furnish the best 
of sheep. The town is watered principally by the Star- 
ling or Davis Mill-stream, on which there is a grist- 
mill and some two or three saw-mills, a starch-factory, 
and machine-shop. They have two meeting-houses. 
Congregational and Methodist. Stated meetings have 
been continued from near the first settlement, by these 
societies, and also by the Freewill-Baptists. There 
has been one or two stores kept at the mills for some 
years, where there is something of a village, and seve- 
ral mechanics. The inhabitants, in 1840, numbered 
955,— polls, 149. The valuation in 1842 was Jsf90,504. 

WILTON. 

The town of Wilton, (formerly called Tyngtown,) 
was granted to Capt. Tyng and a company under his 
command, by the state of Massachusetts, for destroying 
an Indian by the name of Harry. It was explored in 
1785, by Solomon Adams and others, and located by 
Samuel Titcomb Esq., surveyor to the state, and lotted 
by Solomon Adams in 1687. Samuel Butterfield built 
the first mills in the town, about 1791. Isaac Brown 
was the first who moved into the town. Wm. Walker, 
Ammial Clough, Joseph Webster, Silas (^ould, Ebene- 
zer Eaton, Josiah Perham, Ebcnezer Brown, Joshua 
Perley and Josiah Blake were some of the first settlers. 
This town lies west of and adjoining Farmington, has 
not only a productive soil but possesses a superior ad- 
vantage in water power, the Wilson-Stream being one 
of the best in this section, running through the town 
from west to east. There are two considerable villag- 
es on the stream. What is called the Upper- Village 
has a superior grist-mill, two saw-mills, two starch-fac- 
tories, a shingle-machine, fulling-mill, trip-hammer; va- 
rious kinds of machinerv, a tannery, tvvo mectinu-hous- 



130 i^ Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 

es, a brick school-house, two taverns, a number of stores, 
two law offices, with various mechanics. At the Low- 
er-Village is a grist-mill and saw-mill, a w^oolcn factory, 
one meeting-house, two public houses, a number of 
stores and various mechanic shops. There is also a grist 
mill and saw-mill at the north part of the town, at the 
outlet to Varnum's-Pond. The mills first built by Mr. 
Butteriield were where the Lower-Village now stands. 
He soon after erected the first at the outlet of the pond 
now known as the Upper-Village, w^here he successful- 
ly prosecuted business till his death, about 1814. He 
was succeeded by Charles Morse, who rebuilt the mills 
with considerable improvements, in 1840, when he in- 
troduced the first Burr-stones in this section, though 
some seven or eight sets have since been put in opera- 
tion in the county. Col. Morse died in 1843. He was 
a useful and much esteemed citizen. Wilton w^as in- 
corporated June 23, 1803 — population in 1840, 2,198 
—number of Polls 401— valuation in 1842, ,1^295,163. 
There are three Freewill-Baptist churches, a congrega- 
tional church, and several Methodist societies in the town. 

FREEMAN. 

Freeman, which joins Strong on the north, is the 
westerly of the two townships granted by the state of 
Massachusetts, to the sufferers of Falmouth, (now Port- 
land,) in the burning of the town by the British in the 
revolutionary \var. It was surveyed and settled under . 
the agency of Reuben Hill, about 1797. Wm. Brack- 
ly, David Hooper, Alexander Fasset, vSamuel Weymouth, 
and Messrs. Burbank, Morton and Boston, were some 
of the first settlers. It derives little advantage from 
water power, but it has a productive soil, though ra- 
ther hard to cultivate. The northerly part of the town, 
or what is called Freeman-Ridge, rs said to be the 
best for tillage. Near the center of the town there has 
been a store for some years, but the town has no con- 



Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 131 

iderable village. It was incorporated March 4, 1808, 
and takes its name from Samuel Freeman, late of Port- 
land, who was one of the principal owners at the time 
of the settlement. Population in 1840, 838 — polls 142, 
Valuation in 1842, ^$83,902. It was formerly six miles 
square, but a part of its original territory has been at- 
tached to Salem. 

PHILLIPS. 

Phillips, formerly called Curvo, (a name it received 
from Capt. Perkins Allen, on account of its resemblance 
to a port he had visited in a foreign voyage,) was in- 
corporated Feb. 25, 1812. It received the name of 
Phillips in honor of Mr. Phillips, the former proprietor. 
It lies about seventeen miles, in a nearly north-west 
direction from the Court-House in Farmington. It for- 
merly embraced a territory of about 9 miles in length 
and 5 in width; but in 1823 a section from the north- 
east corner was set off to form a part of Salem, and 
recently a strip 3 miles wide, from what was formerly 
Berlin, has been attached to the west side. Improve- 
ments commenced in this town as early as 1790 or 
1791. Perkins Allen, Seth Greely and son, Jonathan 
Pratt, Uriah and Joseph Howard and Isaac Davenport 
were among the first settlers. Sales were first made 
under the agency of Francis Tufts, but the agency sub- 
sequently passed into the hands of Jacob Abbot Esq. 
who eventually became the owner of the unsold lands. 
There are two important villages, situated on the San- 
dy river, and near the southern extremity of the town. 
There is a noble waterfall at the Lower-Village, (the 
best on the Sandy-River,) where there is a superior 
grist-mill, originally built by Francis Tufts, and after- 
wards rebuilt by Joel Whitney, into whose hands it 
passed, and who sold it to the present owners, Orin 
and Daniel Robbins, by whom it has been enlarged and 
put in eood repair. There are also at this villaee a 



132 Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 

tannery, a fulling-mill and carding-machine, a union 
meeting-house, (the bell of which was presented by 
Joel Whitney Esq.,) a convenient school-house, some 
four or five stores, a public house, law-office, saddle and 
harness maker's shop, two blacksmith's shops, a cabinet 
maker's shop, &c. The Upper- Village is situated about 
half-a-mile above the Lower- Village. It has a number 
of stores, two law-offices, a post-oftice, a tannery, a pub- 
lic house, a number of mechanic shops, a school-house, 
and, just above, a meeting-house, (Methodist,) a bridge, 
a saw-mill and a starch-factory. There are also a grist- 
mill and a saw-mill still higher up the river. Phillips 
possesses a productive soil, superior advantages in wa- 
ter power and is so situated as to command the most 
of the trade and other business of tHe interior of the 
county; and such is the policy pursued by their business 
men that the inhabitants find a ready cash market for 
all their surplus seed, wool, and most other articles. — 
The most prominent religious societies are the Method- 
ist and Freewill-Baptist; the Congregationalists have a 
church. Population in 1840 1,312— Polls 226. Berlin 
had 442 inhabitants and 78 polls, which have mostly- 
been added to Phillips. The valuation of Phillips in 
1842 was ^166,770, and that of Berlin ;^28,220, a 
large proportion of which has also passed to Phillips. 

WELD. 

Weld, formerly known as No. 5, or Webb's-Pond 
Plantation, is a large town, containing about 48 square 
miles, and is about ten miles from the Court-House in 
Farmington. It was settled about 1800. Nath'l Kit- 
tredge, Caleb Holt, James Houghton, Abel' Holt, and Jo- 
seph and Abel Russell were among the first settlers. 
There is a considerable village on the eastern side of 
Webb's-Pond, on the Coos-Road, known as Holt's- Vil- 
lage, where there are two or three traders, a good grist- 
mill, a blacksmith's-shop, tannery, carding-rnachinc, and 



Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 133 

several good dwelling-houses. About two miles above, 
on the same road, there is another village, containing a 
town-house, starch-factorj, saw-mill, store and black- 
smith's-shop.* 

KINGFIELD. 

Kingfield was fornierly Plantation No. 3, Range 1 , 
Bingham's-Purchase, and was surveyed by Solomon Ad- 
ams in 1808. Settlements commenced about 1806. — 
It was incorporated Jan. 24, 1816. Its name was se- 
lected in honor of Hon. William King, the first govern- 
or of Maine, a principal proprietor. It is situated about 

*Webb's-Pon(l is a considerable body of water included in Weld. Webb'3 
River rises from this pond, and running southerly through Cartilage, falls into 
the Androscoggin at Dixfield-Village. The land around the pond is level, 
but ranges^f mountains hem it in and impart a picturesque and romantic 
aspect to t* landscape scene. On the soutli is seen Bear-Mountain in Car- 
thage, on the east Mount-Blue, the summit of which is 2360 feet above 
Webb's-Pond, and nearly 4000 feet above the fea; on the north is Mount- , 
Metalic, which takes its name from an Indian who formerly inhabited it; 
and on the west is Ben-Nevis. Weld, as well as several adjoining towns, 
was surveyed by Samuel Titcomb Esq., surveyor to the state. It was lot- 
ted by Phillip BuUen in 1797, and originallyx purchased of the state by 
.Jonathan Phillips of Boston, together with Temple, Avon, Phillips, Madrid, 
and Carthage. Sales to settlers were commenced by Jacob Abbot Esq. of 
Wilton, N. H., who moved to Andover, Mass., and from there to Bruns- 
wick in this state, — who acted as ag-ent for Phillips for some years. But 
in 181.5 he purchased, in company with Benjamin Weld, of Boston, Mr. P's 
unsold lands in Maine. Mr. Abbot proceeded to the settlement of this and 
other towns, and procured the location of the . Coos-Road, by the state, 
from Chesterville, through Wilton, Carthage and Weld, passing the notch 
by Mount Metalic, thence through Byron, and East-Andover, to New-Hamp- 
shire. Mr. Abbot died at Brunswick, in lt?20, aged 74. He was succeed- 
ed by his son, the late Jacob Abbot Esq. who died in Farmington, Jan. 
21, 1847, at the age of 70, (subsequently to the date at which the title-page 
and first sheets of this work were printed.) Mr. Abbot, as a man of busi- 
ness, .was prompt and systematic, as a Christian, devoted, and as a citizen, 
honest, pleasant, gerrerous, useful, and respected. Weld was incorporated 
Feb. 2, 1816, and derived its name from Mr. Weld, then one of the own- 
ers. B. Weld was followed by his son William, who took the whole of 
Carthage, and one half of the remaining towns, and subsequently conveyed -^ 
to Dr. Lafayette Perkins, who settled in Weld in 1815, being the iirst 
physician in the place. A Congregational church was early organized in 
tlie town, of which David Sterret was the first pastor'. He was succeeded 
by Ilermon Stinson. Rev. Mr. Gould is the present pastor. They have a 
convenient meeting-house in the eastern part of the town. Rev. Lemuel 
Jackson, from Green, opened a religious meeting in 1804, and a Baptist 
church was constituted in 180i>, Abel Holt and Amariah Reed, deacons, * 
The latter was ordained an evangelist in 1811. Mr, Jackson remained till 
l&iJ. Various preachers have since labored in the place. Luther Perkins 
iffthe present pastor. 200 members have been receiyed, and about one 
fourth of that number remain. A small Freewill-Baotist church has been 



134 Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 

20 miles from Farmington, in a direction nearly north. 
. It is watered by the Seven-Mile-Brook, two branches 
ol which meet near the south-east corner of the town, 
where mills were early put in operation, and where 
there is a considerable village. It has no meeting-house, 
but meetings are sustained a part of the time, by most 
of the religious societies, and several churches have 
been organized. Population in 1840, 671; number of 
polls 112; valuation in 1842, ,;^64,17l. 

SALEM. .» 

The town of Salem was formed of parts of Freeman, 
Phillips, and No. 4 in the 1st Range, Bingham's-Pur- 
chase, or the "Million- Acres," and was incorporated in 
1823, by the name of North-Salem, which wa^ after- 
wards changed by leaving off the "North." It is drain- 
ed by the w^esterly tranch of the Seven-Mile-Brook, 
which empties into the Kennebec at Anson. It lies a- 
bout 15 miles northerly from the Court-House in Farm- 
ington. Benjamin Heath 2d, from Farmington, made 
the first "chopping," about 1815, where he and John 
Church 1st, and Samuel Chinch removed in 1817, and 
who, with Messrs. Double and Hayford, who moved 
in the same season, were the first settlers in the place. 
The mills were put in operation by the Messrs. Heaths 
in 1818-19, when Benjamin Heath 1st and Simeon A. 
Heath moved into the place. The town is very conven- 
iently situated, has a free and productive soil,- and a 
valuable mill privilege where there is a village contain- 
ing two stores, a saw-mill, grist-mill, starch-factory, pot- 
ash, and various mechanics. Population in 1840, 561; 
polls, 82; valuation in 1842,^9,381. The inhabitants 
have no meeting-house, but meetings on the Sabbath 
are sustained a part of the time, principally by the 
Methodists and Freewill-Baptists. 

CARTHAGE. * 

PartViPfTP fnrmprlv No. 4. Abbot's-Purchase. lies 



Sketches of Neighboring Towns. 135 

south of Weld, and west of Wilton and Temple, and 
was ineorporated in 1829. It is drained by Webb\s- 
River, which runs southerly. The eastern part of tlie 
town is broken by quite a range of mountains, various- 
ly denominated the Bear, vSaddlcback, or Blueberry- 
Mountain, but it has a considerable quantity of land fit 
for cultivation. The town formerly had extensive for- 
ests of pine. William Bowley and — Winter were 
the first who settled in the town, and the former of 
whom built what are called Bowlcy's-Mills, on Webb's- 
River. The town was lotted by Solomon Adams, in 
1803. Dr. Perkins, of Farmington, is now the propri- 
etor of the unsold lands. Population in 1840, 522; 
Polls; 91; valuation in 1842, ,$f41,235. 

MADRID. 

Madrid is something more than 20 miles, in a direc- 
tion about north-west, from the Court-House in Farm- 
ington. The township was formerly owned by- Mr. 
Phillips, and subsequently passed into the hands of Ja- 
cob Abbot, whose heirs still own the unsettled land, 
amouniing to nearly half the township, and some of 
which is unfit for cultivation. Settlements were com- 
menced about 1807 or 1808. Abel Cook, David Ross 
John Sargent, Lemuel Plummer, Miller Hinkley, Joseph 
Dunham, Ebenezer Cawkins, and Nath'l Wells were 
some of the first settlers. Madrid has three saw-mills, 
a grist-mill, two clapboard-machines, two shingle-ma- 
rhines, but no house for public worship. Meetings are 
held in school-houses, and though the town is but par- 
tially settled, the inhabitants have sustained stated meet- 
ings on the Sabbath, most of the time from the com- 
mencement of the settlement.* Population in 1840, 368; 
polls, 64; valuation in 1842, P 1,1 81. 

" A Freewjll-Baptist church was early organized. Eldnr Joseph Dyer of 
PbiUips, although at an advanced age, has gratuitously taken the oversight 
of the church, and preached with them the most of the time for about 14 
years. 



I 



/ 

136 Remarkable Events^ ^c. 

REMARKABLE INCIDENTS. -, . - 

'• r ■ 

1781. First families moved into Farmington, and first saw-n)ill Ijuilt 

1782. Stephen Titconib born Nov. 14, being the first white child born in 

town, and first grist-mill built. 
1785. Groat freshet in October. 

178(5. William Thorn died in the fall, being the first death. 
i790. Town purchased of the State. 

1794. Town incorporated P'cbruary 1st. Frost, on the Ifith of June, lalleul 

all the corn in the low lands. 

1795. Great winter freshet in January broke up tlie Kennebec and Sandy- 

river, and caused much damage at Hallowcll. Bread scarce in 
consequence of frost. 

1799. Great freshet 8th June. Remarkably wet season, 

1800. Bread very scarce; , ,j,.4 

1801. Washburn drowned at the center of the town, found April 2l' near 

Jamejj Butterfield's. 

1804. Dysentery prevailed, very mortal, from 30 to 40 died. 

1806. Sept. 10, frost killed the corn; none ripe; some saved on the high 
lands. June 16th, great eclipse of the sun. 

1808. Corn killed by the frost in some places. 

1810. Cold Friday January 19. 

1814. Cold or typhus fever first appeared and prevailed to the greatest ex- 
tent in this and adjacent towns. 

1816. Cold season; very little corn raised. 

1817. Great scarcity of bread. 

1820. Great freshet in October; water rose 17 feet. 

1825. Dysentery prevailed the second time; not so mortal. 

1828. March 20, C«leb Sprague killed by a fall from his wagon, aged 73. 

1830. William Tilton died, aged 95 years. 

183 J. Joseph Fairbanks, ]st, killed by falling from his wagon, in Augusta, 
September 12th'. ' 

1832. In June, the Asiatic cholera made its iippear^ag in Quebec and 

Montreal, and soon after in the United States. 

1833. November 4, Solomon Adams killed by being thrown fruui his car 

riage in Vienna. 
1836. January 29th, Dinah June died, aged 104 years. 
1838. County of Franklin organized. 
1846. August 8, trQmendous hail storm in the easterly part of the town; 

more water fell than was ever known in town in the same space 

of time; crops much injured. 



*▼% 



NUMBER OF POLLS AND INHABITANTS OF FARMINGTON, 
AND AMOUNT OF VALUATION. 



Years. 


JVo. of 


JVo. of 


Anount of 




Polls. 


Inluibilants. 


Valuation. 


1790. 




494 




1794. 


13G 




.$24,183 


1800. 


218 


942 


58,652 


1810. 


279 


1639 


93,761 


1820. 


320 


1938 


11.5,462 


1830. 


3i)7 


2341 


161,7^9 


1840. 


452 


2613 


462,375 \ 



Valuation rai.-5od to cash \aJuc. 



